Focus: Mark 9:35 - KJV
35. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Matthew 23:1-12
Akin to what happened in Egypt, when God wanted to bring Israel from there, while the Egyptians suffered plagues in their land and the Israelis enjoyed peace in Goshen, there are practically two kingdoms on earth at every point in time: the kingdom of this world and the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is ordered by and dwells on the word of God, whereas the opposite is the case in the other kingdom. For instance, in the kingdom of the world, the leaders laud things over the people: when the leaders use the roads, the led dare not ply same road; when the leaders are still at home, their spaces are reserved at occasions; they take the chunk of the resources meant for the people to themselves and leave the people to suffer lack. In the Kingdom of God, the word of the Lord is that the leader must be the least – a servant. Hence, rather than being carried on the shoulders of the people through the wilderness, Moses led by example trekking like every other man and allowing only the women and the children to be carried necessarily.
Those who lead by the tenets of the Kingdom of God enjoy peace and love from the people, necessarily. Those who do not are constantly hated by the people they lead, even if the led have no power to depose them momentarily. Imagine when Rehoboam told Israel he would govern them like in the worldly kingdom and they had an option to choose by the leadership of Jeroboam, they forsook him and returned to their tents. The kingdom of the world has also crept into the Church, unfortunately. Whilst the people are cringing under the yoke imposed on them by the government, at gatherings, those who are called pastors who are meant to serve as leaders are given special seats rather than being the ones to specially welcome new comers and show them the love of the Kingdom. In actual fact, they scramble for the best seats and higher positions in the front just like the Pharisees and Sadducees whom Christ described and whose acts He condemned.
Dearly beloved, know it for sure that only those who live by the tenets of the Kingdom shall enjoy the benefits of the Kingdom. Those who take benefit of the kingdom of this world have their reward already. If you must be a leader, then the Master expects you to be the least amongst the brethren. Oh no! Not the least in unction or the anointing, but the one doing the rudimental functions to make those you are to lead more comfortable in service. When people come to your parish and it is only you and your wife that must seat together in front to the exclusion of every other, including other officiating ministers, how do you differ from those the Lord spoke tersely about? We cannot take the benefit of the Lord’s lordship unless we live in absolute obedience to Him. Things that will make Him frown on our style of service, please let us avoid.
SOLUTION: Be an example of what you want to see in others. Those being led have enough burden that they want lifted. Please do not add to it by being a burdensome leader. Rather be in office to serve others on Christ’s behalf.
Please pray: Father, in all I do, help me to be your showpiece of Kingdom living, in Jesus’ name. Anytime I seem to be getting egocentric because of any position of leadership I occupy, whether spiritually or secularly, please prompt me to tow the line of humility and service, in Jesus’ name.
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name.
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