Men claiming to be “called by God” and “anointed” to be “apostles, evangelists, prophets and pastors” are everywhere you look these days. It seems that everyone has to have an official title to make sure that we all know who they are and that they matter.But where are the true servant leaders like we see in the Bible? (And I don't mean cleaning up a fellowship hall.) Where are the men that will stand between Yahweh and men and intercede, whether they receive accolades or not? These speak what is true, not what is favorable, popular nor easy.
But to our text today, we see men who are willing to literally lose their lives by the hands of those they are called to serve and lead, yet still cry out for Father to show them mercy and forgiveness. Do you see much of this where you are? I see videos of “pastors” telling congregants to “get out!” if they don’t like what he is preaching. I see men in self-imposed power speak of “their” ministry, "their" church and how gifted they are. I see people heap endless devotion upon men behind a pulpit that do little more than use the Bible errantly to regurgitate the traditions of men.
So how do we turn this wayward ship of leadership? We do what we do when we lack proper wisdom for anything. We look to the patterns within the Word. Moses laid aside a lavish life in order to be constantly mistreated by Yahweh’s People. Interestingly, he would be a forerunner pattern of Messiah Himself. We even see that in today’s text, specifically.
Men need to truly know what Yahweh is speaking again. Men need to fall on their faces, in front of the assembly. They need to cry out for mercy, on behalf of the lawless and rebellious people that they have been called to serve and guide. Yes, we learn what pleases the Father. Yes, we walk out daily lives of increasing obedience. Yes! But, in the end, it is His great mercy and willingness to pardon us all that is our only hope. Selah.
But to our text today, we see men who are willing to literally lose their lives by the hands of those they are called to serve and lead, yet still cry out for Father to show them mercy and forgiveness. Do you see much of this where you are? I see videos of “pastors” telling congregants to “get out!” if they don’t like what he is preaching. I see men in self-imposed power speak of “their” ministry, "their" church and how gifted they are. I see people heap endless devotion upon men behind a pulpit that do little more than use the Bible errantly to regurgitate the traditions of men.
So how do we turn this wayward ship of leadership? We do what we do when we lack proper wisdom for anything. We look to the patterns within the Word. Moses laid aside a lavish life in order to be constantly mistreated by Yahweh’s People. Interestingly, he would be a forerunner pattern of Messiah Himself. We even see that in today’s text, specifically.
Men need to truly know what Yahweh is speaking again. Men need to fall on their faces, in front of the assembly. They need to cry out for mercy, on behalf of the lawless and rebellious people that they have been called to serve and guide. Yes, we learn what pleases the Father. Yes, we walk out daily lives of increasing obedience. Yes! But, in the end, it is His great mercy and willingness to pardon us all that is our only hope. Selah.
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