A world void of Leaders

John 10:11-14

In our society we have become so immersed in technology, into progressive thinking, and diversity; the being sensitive to the feelings of others, and in doing so our society has forgotten to teach leadership.  In this progressive culture with all winners and no losers, it does not foster nor does it encourage the development of leaders!  So what are some basic points we should require in our leaders?  And when speaking of leaders, I mean people in authority over others, beginning with mothers and dads, teachers and adults who are responsible for a child’s physical and spiritual growth.  It would also apply to pastors, police, and politicians, and in business, anyone who holds the office of boss, and that means CEO’s and board of directors.

First and foremost is honesty, and that should be expected from mom and dad to all those listed above.  Honesty is the characteristic of being faithful, just, truthful, and morally upright.  Second, integrity would go hand in hand with honesty, and it is the quality of adhering to higher moral principles.  What does that person look like in the home, at school, in church, in business, in government; they lead with those characteristics, and they are disciplined and responsible with the resources placed in their trust, whether that be money or people, and they make decisions based on what is the best use of the resources for those placed under them.  Many times that may not be popular with those under their authority, but they will follow a leader who places their best above what may not be in the leaders liking.  So how does John 10:11-16, tie into this discussion?

If you read chapter 53 in the Psalms, you will be amazed at this prophet, he is on the spot, on target, and it is hundreds of years before the birth of Christ.  In verses 3-4, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.”  Did I say that a leader might not be liked, that they may be misunderstood, but as in the case of Jesus, the good shepherd, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)  Now we who by faith have Christ living in us should model the good shepherd, but many of us do not reflect the characteristics of Jesus.  That is the contrast of verse 11 and verse 12, one values people and the other is just a hired hand.  Jesus has this to say about the hired hand, “He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.” (John 10:12)

It matters not if the person is a mom or dad, a pastor, or any of the others listed above, if they have the attitude of a hired hand, you are in a lot of trouble, because a leader with that attitude is not a person of honesty or integrity.  One of the latest examples is Francesco Schettino, the captain of the Concordia, who abandoned ship while those who had put their trust in him were drowning.  Verse 13, gives a clear picture of the captain, “He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice