By Bishop Clifford Chisha
How a leader looks at problems determines, to a larger extent, the seriousness he will attach to them and the methods he is likely going to employ.
A leader cannot run away from problem solving.
In order to avoid making unnecessary mistakes, leaders should always endeavour to be sober when looking at problems.
Prejudices should be avoided because they have the potential to negatively influence the way a leader looks at particular problems.
When the Apostles were arrested, soon after the Pentecost, for preaching Christ in Jerusalem, Gamaliel, a member of the Sanhedrin, before which they were brought for trial, used great wisdom to influence the decision of the council.
Members of the Sanhedrin got angered by the response of the apostles and wanted to put them to death.
The way the Sanhedrin looked at the challenge they had almost caused them to make a very big mistake.
However, there was one member of the same council who looked at the same challenge in a sober way.
Acts.5.34-40 reveals that a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the apostles be put outside for a little while.
He then addressed the Sanhedrin.He said to them, “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.”
He further went on to remind them of Theudas, a person who appeared, claiming to be somebody, and had about four hundred men who rallied to him.
He was killed and all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
Gamaliel also reminded the Sanhedrin about Judas the Galilean who appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt.
He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
Look at the advise he gave after prudently mentioning the facts above;
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail”. (Acts 5:38)
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The Sanhedrin, a religious legislative body or political and judicial council as presented in Josephus writings and the Gospels, was saved by a “great teacher” of the law and Pharisee who looked at the “problem” they were trying to solve in a sober way.
The other members of the council were emotional and that could have cost them.
According to Acts 5:26, The captain and the officers who went to bring the apostles to the council, did not do it by force.They were afraid of being stoned by the people.
Now, imagine if the Sanhedrin had killed the apostles.What would have been the outcome?
A good leader knows how to look at problems.
He soberly and critically looks at a problem at hand from various angles before coming up with the best way forward.
