People Can Lead More Than Leaders Lead

“And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.” (Lu 19:48 AV)

 

In our passage this morning, we see the leadership of the nation of Israel wanted to take Jesus Christ and send Him to the Roman government for trial and death.  Eventually, they would succeed.  In fact, it only took one week to completely change the attitude of the multitude which resulted in the death of the Messiah.  Above, we see the multitude, because of their interest in the ministry of Jesus, the leadership could not touch Him.  They feared the people.  What we see is something that has been true throughout the history of mankind.  Actions of a nation are often more dependent on the multitudes than they are the leaders who lead them.  Every revolution started and ended with the commitment of the multitude.  Leaders know this.  They know they have little to no power unless the people are behind them.  Even a dictator knows that he survives only because the majority allow him to.  If the majority of the military will not back him, then he is powerless to wield his will.  In two short days, the American people will decide who leads them.  But bear in mind, the direction and values of our nation will not be determined by the leaders whom we choose.  It will be, and always has been, determined by the will of the people.

Scouting taught me many of life’s principles that have carried over into the pastorate.  Leadership skills is one of those areas.  My father required that everyone serve as a patrol leader.  Each troop was broken down into smaller units called patrols.  The way my father had it organized, there were usually six to eight boys in each patrol.  Every six months, we would hold an election for the patrol leader and assistant patrol leader.  These two boys were responsible to organize their patrol and perform assigned tasks.  These requirements were often tested in the context of camping trips.  It would be the job of the patrol leader to organize and train his patrol for competition.  It would be his job to organize training for the younger boys to learn the basics required for advancement.  As a leader, you learned really quickly that you cannot force any individual to do what you think is best.  As the leader, you had to learn motivational skills and people skills to encourage your patrol to do their best.  However, if they didn’t feel like going along, there was nothing that could change it.  The Klondike Derby was the test of all tests.  The leader had to organize and motivate their patrol to push a dog sled through a course, performing skills like knot tying, first aid, and fire building.  In the middle of February, that was quite a task.  If you got the patrol all the way through the course working as one unit, regardless of the time it took, you were a winner.  Too many sleds were abandoned to the side of the trail because patrols just couldn’t hack it and the majority called it quits.  No matter how competitive the leader was unless he had his six men with him, that sled wasn’t going anywhere.

The point is this.  We pray for our leaders because the word of God tells us to.  And we should.  No matter the leader, he or she should be prayed for.  But realize the key to revival is not the leader.  The key to revival is the people.  No matter who is sworn in next January, he or she cannot keep revival from coming.  Revival is a work of the Holy Spirit on the people of God and there is no law or tactic of man that can stop it.  Our hope cannot be in who sits in the White House, the Governor's Mansion, or who sits in Congress or the Supreme Court.  Our hope is in the LORD Jesus Christ and if the people experience a turning towards God, there isn’t a force on earth that can stop it.  They tried with Jesus.  And failed many times.  Here is a warning though.  One week prior to His crucifixion, the people were ready to crown Jesus.  Seven days later, He hung on a cross.  The people are extremely fickle.  They may wield a lot of power, but their values can change in an instant.  My hope is in neither the people nor the leaders they choose.  My hope is in God!