Why Alexander wasn’t so great

I enjoy reading biographies of people who have invested their lives in making a difference – risking leadership in their generation.

After a recent visit to the Alexandria library in Egypt, named after the famous third century conqueror, I decided to read his biography. Alexander’s life is like a meteor. In 11 short years, he took a small band of Macedonians from northern Greece and led them to victory over the greatest armies in the world.

I was inspired by his incredible courage and example of “leading from the front.” He attempted challenges none before had considered. But what struck me again and again was how opposite Alexander’s leadership style was to that of Jesus.

When attacking an enemy, Alexander offered terms of surrender or annihilation. His extension of the enlightened rule of Greece came with a great price. While he frequently adopted local customs of a conquered population, he eventually lost touch with the very men who had stood with him for more than a decade.

Alexander’s mentor was Aristotle, a philosopher known for teaching moderation – the “golden mean” between extremes. Throughout his 11-year global conquest, Alexander wrote weekly to Aristotle and read his mentor’s copy of Homer’s Iliad every night. Following his conquest of the great Persian Empire, Alexander began referring to himself as the “Son of Zeus.” When his official biographer, Aristotle’s nephew, cautioned him on the title of deity, Alexander killed him. Aristotle responded that “no one would willingly live under his authority.” Alexander’s empire collapsed into confusion soon after his death in Babylon at age 32.

Jesus, a different kind of leader

How very different from Jesus. For two thousand years, Jesus’ followers have been inspired by his example of servanthood and self-denial, willingly offering their lives. Unlike Alexander, Christ’s authority has not diminished over time and is acknowledged in heaven and on earth.

The region of Persia is still in the news today and leaders are still fighting over her. I find it interesting that it’s one of the most spiritually responsive regions in the world. Despite the current turmoil, people are attracted to Jesus. Followers of Christ from across Latin America, Africa, and Asia are serving in this Middle Eastern area. Some are “missio migrants” who share Christ while they work in menial service jobs. They are willing to stake everything for the urgent call of the Great Commission.

A friend from one of our partner Mennonite Brethren conferences is currently working in the land of Persians and reporting an incredible spiritual hunger. He’s finding that humility, love, and grace are still attractive. His story reminds me there can be plenty of adventure and risk in following Jesus. Rather than liberating our enemies by conquering them, Jesus instructs us to “love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us.”

I have the honour of working with a global mission team that regularly exhibits “risk taking obedience” to Jesus, our leader. One of our summer ACTION teams spent six weeks serving among the nomads of Central Asia last year. Those young people considered following Jesus a supreme privilege regardless of conditions.

Another young leader who embodies passion for Jesus is Sam Dick, a mission “mobilizer” who works out of our Abbotsford office. “I follow Jesus,” said Sam, “because he’s the only leader I know who conquered death and whose grave is empty. He’s the only leader who invites me to join him on an adventurous, risky mission. While lifelong fruit is my leader’s passion, he makes my personal wholeness a priority as well. He often leads me to rest with him beside ‘quiet waters’ for refreshing. No other leader I know does it quite so well.”

Reading the story of Alexander the Great reminds me that the ways of the world are so very different from the ways of Christ’s kingdom. There will always be leaders who call us to follow them. Jesus stands above the rest, calling us to follow him on a mission of liberation with an eternal impact.

Randy Friesen is director of MBMSI and lives in Abbotsford, B.C. This article first appeared in the Nov. 2007 issue of the Christian Leader.