April 2, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Hazards of Leadership

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Opening Prayer

Lord, I ask for an unbounded affection for You, an immeasurable urge towards You, and a deep devotion to You.

Read LUKE 22:24-38

[24] Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. [25] Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. [26] But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. [27] For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. [28] You are those who have stood by me in my trials. [29] And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, [30] so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [31] “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [33] But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” [34] Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” [35] Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. [36] He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. [37] It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” [38] The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” he replied.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Reflect

“He who with his whole heart draws near unto God must of necessity be proved by temptation and trial” (Albert the Great, circa. 1200-80).

Today’s reading highlights two of the hazards confronting Christian leaders. The first is what Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler called the “will to power.” This strong desire to achieve the highest possible position in life is manifested in the dispute over which disciple would be considered the greatest leader (24-30). Jesus bluntly comments that seeking power is a pagan practice. Spiritual leadership, he says, expresses itself in humbly serving others, not in exercising control in the church (26-30).

If the first hazard is a propensity to adopt worldly lifestyle values, the second is vulnerability to Satanic attack (31). Satan’s assaults are seldom one-time strikes. Here he demands to have not only Judas, who, by this time had gone to betray Jesus (John 13:27), but all the apostles (31). Today, Christian leaders are still the focus of a fierce demonic offensive masterminded by the adversary of our souls. Thank God they—and we—have an advocate who prays that our faith might not fail (32). Jesus’ prayer does not seek to exempt Peter from the trial he will very shortly face; rather, he prays that Peter’s faith might persevere. Jesus parries Satan’s blows through prayer.

If you’re a leader, are you sufficiently aware of your high dependence on Jesus’ prayers for you (cf. Heb. 7:25)? We all have a responsibility to pray for those who lead the people of God. As we shall see tomorrow, Peter’s faith will wobble during Jesus’ trial, but it doesn’t fail. Peter will “turn back” (32), strengthened by his ordeal and better equipped to fortify others struggling under Satanic onslaught. Peter’s faith survives because when Satan attacks, Jesus prays. Jesus’ prayer overrules Satan’s strategy, so that it destroys the chaff (Peter’s self-confidence) and not the wheat.

Apply

Pray for a Christian leader from within your church or the wider Christian community. Send them a note of encouragement.

Closing prayer

Lord, let Your healing light shine on me. Expose and heal any sin, failure or weakness and make me whole in You.

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