For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge of sacred things, and people should seek instruction from him because he is the messenger of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. You, however, have turned from the way. You have caused many to violate the law; you have corrupted the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
Into the Text
Everybody is leading someone. We each have a sphere of influence around us. We are either influencing people toward God or away from Him.
Israel’s leaders were leading the people astray, and the priests were guiding them into sin, failing to speak truth or act with integrity. This lack of leadership extended into homes, where husbands were abandoning their wives for other women and neglecting their role as godly leaders.
What does a godly leader look like? A godly leader is fully surrendered to God. She knows that she cannot do life on her own. She recognizes that she has been greatly forgiven by Jesus and desires to live in praise of Him. She put others before her own desires. She intently studies God’s Word and spends time in prayer. She is marked by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). She speaks truth in love and points others to Jesus.
She knows that following God is the only way to experience true life and peace. True leadership is found at the foot of the cross. It’s when we stand in awe and reverence of our Savior that we can truly begin to emulate His humility and servant-heartedness. This is when we begin to lead others as we should.
God has given you a leadership role so that you can steward your time, talents, and treasures for the sake of the kingdom of God. We have the ultimate example of self-sacrificing leadership in Jesus Christ, and He wants to walk alongside us in our own leadership. May we not waste the influence we have been given by making more of ourselves, but may we rather make more of Christ.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for your leadership. You gave everything you had in order to obediently follow the Father. Help me to live my days in service to you, leading others to know you and follow you wholeheartedly. Amen.