Title: Keep Out! / Topic: Lousy Leaders

Today’s Reading: Genesis 27; Genesis 28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

Scripture: Luke 11:52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."

Observation: Jesus is holding nothing back as he verbally assaults the Jewish leaders. The Pharisees and teachers of the law held themselves up as models of perfection and virtue -- and looked down on the "common people." In addition, they didn't like Jesus and he returned the favor. Here Jesus issues an indictment that is a little scary. These so called religious leaders "have taken away the key to knowledge." They have effectively locked the door which leads to God, keeping themselves out and making it difficult for others from entering.

Application: I don't think there is a much more serious charge against a spiritual leader than this: leading others astray and keeping them away from God. Unfortunately, I have seen it in many pastors, and other so called Christian leaders I have known. And even worse, I have probably been guilty of this myself at times.

The key is for leaders to keep away from pride, because pride leads down a deadly road for both the leader and his followers. If you are a leader, check your motivation. Do you want people to look up to you and think highly of you because of your position or your spirituality? If so, watch out. Jesus gave his leaders and the rest of us warnings about this once when they "had argued about who was the greatest." Jesus told them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:34-35) And "He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:2-4)

Prayer: Lord, help me to be and to lead others into a path of leadership that mirrors the attitudes of Jesus himself. May we serve others with an eye to their betterment and blessing and not consider our own standing or reputation or fame. May we lead like Jesus did.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.