Leadership Lessons from the 72
We live in a culture obsessed with output. Whether you are chasing your career dreams, building a business, leading a community group, or even just trying to be a better person, it is remarkably easy to let what you do define who you are. When things go well, we feel unstoppable. When a project flops or our influence shrinks, we spiral into an identity crisis.
Interestingly, a well-known story from the Gospel of Luke tackles this exact modern dilemma. In Luke 10, Jesus commissions and sends out 72 ordinary followers to preach, heal, and prepare the way in nearby towns. On the surface, it looks like a masterclass in scaling a movement. Look a little closer, and it reveals a radical framework for a healthy, resilient, and sustainable kind of leadership.
Decentralising the Mission
Healthy movements don’t rely on a single charismatic celebrity at the top. By appointing 72 disciples, Jesus models rapid deployment and decentralisation. He hands real authority over to everyday people, proving that meaningful work is meant to be shared.
There is also deep intentionality in how he sends them out:
- Going in pairs: Nobody is meant to lead in isolation. Sending them two by two builds in companionship, accountability, and safety as they step out like “lambs among wolves.”
- Travelling light: They are told to leave behind money bags, knapsacks, and extra sandals, forcing them to rely on God and local hospitality.
- Handling rejection gracefully: If a town refuses to welcome them, they aren’t told to argue or force their way in. They simply shake the dust from their feet and move on.
The Ultimate Reality Check
When the 72 return from their trip, they are buzzing with excitement. Their mission worked—even demons obeyed them when they used Jesus’ name. You might expect Jesus to give them a standing ovation. Instead, he hits the brakes and delivers a massive perspective shift: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
In one sentence, Jesus shifts their focus from what they can do (their power and success) to who they are(their secure relationship with God).
4 Takeaways for Modern Leaders
That single verse (Luke 10:20) serves as an incredible anchor for anyone leading, creating, or working in a performance-driven world today.
1. Choose Identity Over Performance
In both secular and religious spaces, we love to tie our self-worth to productivity, job titles, and measurable impact. Jesus completely decouples human value from output. Your deepest joy shouldn’t come from your latest career win or the reach of your work, but from the quiet, unshakeable reality that you are known and loved by God.
2. Watch Out for “Platform” and Ego
With the rise of influencer culture, the temptation to rejoice in having sway over others—the modern equivalent of spirits submitting to you—is at an all-time high. It is intoxicating to chase likes, numbers, and visibility. But authority is a responsibility, not a trophy. When a platform becomes the source of our joy, we become fragile: arrogant when we succeed, and devastated when we fail.
3. Build Resilience Against Burnout
Burnout can happen when our emotional tank is only ever filled by our latest achievement. When a venture fails or a season of high productivity ends, we can often crash. Anchoring your joy in “heavenly citizenship” gives you a foundation that bad days can’t touch. Because your acceptance is a gift rather than something you earned, a lost job or a drop in status can never strip away your worth.
4. Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
It is easy to get distracted by the sensational. In spiritual circles, people can become obsessed with miracles, debates, or complex theology. In the corporate world, people get consumed by office politics and power dynamics. Jesus reminds us to prioritise intimacy with God over the spectacular. At the end of the day, the greatest miracle isn’t a flashy display of power—it’s a transformed heart.
The Bottom Line
Whether you are leading a company, a church, or just trying to navigate a busy week, take a cue from the 72. Step out boldly, work alongside others, and don’t be afraid to travel light. Just make sure you never confuse your results with your identity. Your best work will always flow from knowing you are already accepted and deeply loved before you even start.
Image credit: Ai generated by Matt Fricker
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