The Mark of a Great Leader
Monday, July 22, 2024
“We need to confess our moral failures and our national sins. Repent of the lies that have justified killing innocent babies and the elderly. Renewal begins on our knees.” – Chuck Colson
One of the hallmarks of a great servant leader is the manner in which he identifies with his people. In fact, Jesus often referred to Himself as the “Son of Man” to emphasize His bond with humanity and to empathize with those He came to “seek and save” (see Luke 19:10).
Several Old Testament characters did likewise. In Nehemiah 1, the king’s cupbearer mourns, weeps, fasts, and prays when he hears about the deplorable living conditions in Jerusalem. Despite being 900 miles away and living in relative splendor in the palace, Nehemiah closely identifies with the plight of the Jews that were left behind during the Captivity. Even more remarkably, he “owns” their sins, pleading on their behalf for God’s mercy (see below).
The prophet Isaiah acted in similar fashion, crying out to God in Chapter 6, Verse 5, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” So did Moses in Exodus 32:31-32 when he said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”
Finally, the Apostle Paul was so burdened for his fellow Jews that he offered to spend eternity in hell in their place if it would result in their salvation. “For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.” (Romans 9:3-4, BSB)
True leaders point fingers at themselves.
“Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.” Nehemiah 1:6-7 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
