“Humility” Photo by K.G.Hawes; flickr
Meditation
Monday of Easter Week Four lessons indicted those leaders that failed to keep their flocks properly. The Old Testament lesson in Ezekiel pointed the finger of blame on the shepherd-leaders that were favoring some flock members over the others. The fat sheep were given preference and the thin sheep were starved and deprived of water, deliberately, with malice of forethought.
God replied that he would take over the shepherding job, and put his David in the position of shepherd; of course this meant, Jesus, the shepherd of David’s line.
The Psalmist called for all to sing praises to God, because God is in charge. Any service we do (as volunteers or leaders) depends on the grace of God for its effectual achievement. “It is God, who created us and not we, ourselves,” the Psalmist said. The final words of Psalm 100 acknowledge the mercy and grace of God.
The New Testament epistle of Peter was responding to church leaders, who didn’t care about their flocks but were serving the church for the money they could receive. Peter pleaded for the leaders to serve because of their love for God, not money. The leaders were lording it over their flocks—oppressively—and Peter asked them to be examples of Christ, instead. The last part implored the young to obey their elders in humility.
Clearly, there was a crisis in the church, where the arrogant leadership abused their positions and the arrogant young flock resisted their suggestions. Peter wanted the young to accept the leader’s guidance. This time he mentioned their arrogance. More importantly, Peter told them that “God is against the proud, but kind to the humble.”
Church leaders today have railed against those, who believed or acted differently from them on issues of marriage, sexual behavior, LGBT and finances. I can’t remember hearing anyone holding any leader accountable for demonstrating arrogance. Some Christian leaders, regardless of side of the debates, have spewed hate with arrogance.
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