Leadership
24 May 2019
There is an apocraphal Chinese curse that says “may you live in interesting times”, and it certainly feels like we are in the midst of those. Political turmoil and uncertainty over Brexit seems to be a fact of life at the moment, rather than just a passing phase, and a common frustration I hear is the complaint about a lack of quality leadership.
Now, I don’t think it is right to wearily dismiss MPs and other public servants. For the most part they seem to be trying their best to do a very difficult job with the right motivations in the full glare of the spotlight. Cynicism only makes their job harder, and will ensure we get the wrong leaders.
However, it is a natural desire to long for the best leaders. Leaders who inspire rather than discourage. Leaders who have a vision rather than being weighed down by uncertainty. Leaders who are prepared to tell the truth at all times rather than just say what they think we want to hear. Leaders who will bring people together rather than play on our divisions. Leaders who are prepared to serve, even in a sacrificial way, rather than hold on to power for themselves.
But does such a leader exist?
In an important way, the answer to that is “no”. Every human leader is flawed and weak. No one knows absolutely the right thing to do. Every human being is tempted (and gives in) to act in their personal interest, to be weak rather than strong, and to ignore good advice. Any expectation of a perfect leader (whatever their position or party) is at best naive, and at worse dangerous.
But, there is a leader who perfectly embodies all our hopes and dreams. He doesn’t reside at 10 Downing Street. He is reigning at the right hand of his Father, and will return and be seen by everyone. He showed us what he is like what he came to earth 2,000 years ago.
Whenever people have researched the character of Jesus Christ they have been drawn to him. Even those who have wanted to criticise him have found their expectations subverted. According to Michael Palin’s diaries, when the Monty Python comedy team read the gospel accounts while researching a film they discovered they couldn’t criticise Jesus directly. Their intention to write “Jesus Christ : My lust for glory” subtly changed to become “The Life Of Brian”.
When we read the accounts of Jesus’ life we read about a man who drew all kinds of people to follow him. People from every strand of society became his followers, and men, women and children were drawn to him. When he spoke to people he really listened, treating them as individuals, yet he did not just say what he thought they wanted to hear. He was able to speak hard truths - but out of a real love for his hearers. When he looked over vast crowds of people he was moved to tears at their problems, seeing them not just a group but as individuals.
But more than that Jesus led by dealing with the greatest need we have. He took full responsibility for our rebellion against our creator, and sacrificially laid down his life, taking on himself the punishment we deserve for our sin against God. This is true leadership! He was raised from the dead and is now exalted in glory.
In the midst of our chaos and confusion there is a leader who is in charge, and who displays all the character qualities we long for. The big question is, do we recognise he is in charge? Do we trust and follow him?