A Leader that listens!

It has been a few weeks of news when leadership has been at the forefront. The news has been full of stories of a group or a number of group’s intent on violence and power abuse disguised in the thin veneer of religion. This week’s readings and theme for the Sunday readings also offers comments about leadership. Jesus gave us quite a change in perspective on the way leadership can be exercised for the good of all.

Jean was grateful to be with her father during his final hours. The father had been a diligent worker and a faithful parent. He had enjoyed good health through most of his eighty-seven years, and now he was dying peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family. Jean was the oldest of his children, and she kept watch as his breathing became more laboured and his moments of wakefulness dwindled. At last, he opened his eyes and motioned her closer. She held his hand and bent over the bed, hoping to catch his final words of wisdom and blessing. In a hoarse whisper he said to her, “Change the filter in the pool pump regularly,” and breathed his last.

Not all final words are memorable or poetic, but we should perhaps be satisfied if they are at least useful. King David’s final words, as they are remembered by his people and recorded, are eloquent and worthy of Israel’s great shepherd/poet. More significant, the blessing they carry is useful as a reminder, even today, of the gifts and blessings available to the leaders of God’s people. David’s words also imply that God has expectations of these gifted individuals, and those expectations must be taken to heart.

David was both a head of state and a religious leader, and much of what we learn from David relates to those who lead us both in government and in the church. We can be thankful that we know from the famous last words of David what God expects from government officials, and we hold our elected leaders accountable to rule with God’s justice. David’s life, teaches us not only what it is to be a shepherd of God’s people, but also what it is to be human. He was a good ruler, but David had personal failings and those failings brought consequences. However, sadly as is seen throughout history, civil strife came and finally the kingdom divided, and “David’s throne” became an insignificant outpost for a succession of conquerors.

The people longed for God to restore the throne of David. The wait was long, and many gave up, forgot the promise, put their faith in the mighty Roman army, or became rebels hiding in the hills. But faithful people knew that God’s promises can be trusted, and they waited see God’s salvation with their own eyes. They recognised the promised Saviour, Jesus. Others doubted that a child born in a cattle shed could carry the credentials of the promised king.  The child Jesus grew and became an itinerant preacher, teacher, and healer. He was welcomed in some places and chased out of others because of something he said or someone unacceptable he brought into his community.

He called himself a servant and proceeded to wrap himself in a towel and wash the feet of those who came to his dinner. He did tell his followers what kind of people made up his kingdom: not the proud and greedy but the children, the poor, the abandoned, the lowly. Jesus, in the Gospels, becomes a king like no other, a ruler who seeks out the humble and willingly does the job of a household slave, a ruler to be reckoned with because he is an affront to tyrants and all who oppose God’s gracious rule. An African American spiritual says, “King Jesus is alistenin’ all day long,” and we are left to ask, “What other powerful ruler actually listens to his people?”