JESUS AS A CHANGE AGENT

The Role of Jesus as an Agent of Change and Guiding

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion3

Jesus' Change Agent: an Inner Textural Analysis Of John 21:1-255

Repetitive-Progressive Texture5

Opening-Middle-Closing Texture8

Narrational Texture10

Argumentative Texture12

Sensory-Aesthetic Texture14

Conclusion16

References17

Bibliography19

Appendix23

The Role of Jesus as an Agent of Change and Guiding

Introduction

The person of Jesus has been under heavy investigation in both theological studies and leadership studies. While the literature about Jesus is extensive, it fails to address Jesus' amazing abilities to change others. A comprehensive review of the literature about Jesus yields only one article that discusses Jesus' ability to change others (Pickett, 2005). Even this one article does not directly discuss Jesus' skills of change agent, but rather addresses the change agent nature of the account of his resurrection (Pickett, 2005). This void in the research concerning Jesus' change agent approach demands attention from contemporary research concerning change agent theory and from a theological and exegetical perspective. Therefore, the current research investigation seeks to explore Jesus' change agent approach through an exegetical analysis of John 21:1-25. The goal of such research is to paint a clearer picture of Jesus and to enhance the applicability of his change agent strategies for the leaders of today. The following discussion addresses the inner textural analysis of John 21:1-25. Inner textural analysis examines the patterns of language that occur in a given text, such as repetition or dialogue, for the purpose of providing insights into the events, meaning, and application of the text (Robbins, 1996). This analysis subsequently reveals Jesus' model of change agent. For today's leaders, following Jesus' model of change agent provides a positive means of engaging followers and motivating them toward higher levels of purpose and action. This paper discusses the role of jesus as an agent of change and guiding.

Discussion

The lack of research about Jesus as a change agent influence demands exegetical attention. Therefore, to analyze Jesus' change agent approach, his change agent actions should be reviewed. Of the four Gospels, the Gospel of John most profoundly portrays the leadership of Jesus (deSilva, 2004). According to deSilva, John is divided into two primary sections as well as an introduction and epilogue. The two primary sections include the book of signs, which depicts Jesus' active ministry and leadership to the world, and the book of glory, which reveals Jesus' instructions to his followers (deSilva, 2004). Thus, the Book of John consistently addresses the leadership actions of Jesus. deSilva points out additional features of the Book of John:

“The Fourth Gospel begins to contribute to the formation of ministers and counselors and others who reach out to bring the light of Christ to people in need by presenting the model of the good Shepherd, Christ, the minister par excellence”. (2004, p. 445)

The fact that the Gospel of John so thoroughly addresses Jesus as a leader in his time and to the ministers of today makes this Gospel an excellent source for leadership and change agent studies.

Within the Book of John, the text contained in John 21:1-25 serves ...