Monday, July 8, 2013
FOLLOW THE LEADER: WHICH ONE?
There is an inward desire to have a leader. Whom do you follow? It may be someone that you respect or one who has been successful in those areas in which you want success. The bottom line is that life is easier when you have that "North Star" to guide you. Maybe you want to be the leader, the captain of your destiny and the master of your fate. There are many choices available. How does one filter out all the noise and come to proper conclusion about the fact that we need Jesus as our Leader?
The key is to know who Jesus really is. Jesus asked His disciples in Luke 9, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again." These answers were very limiting as to the identity of Jesus. The crowds acknowledged that He was a prophet, but couldn't go that final step to confess like Peter did that He was the Messiah. So today many people will not give Jesus enough credit. At other times they give mere mortals too much credit.
Peter gave the correct answer when Jesus asked, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." The Christ, the Messiah, was the One set aside from eternity to hold the three-fold office of Prophet, Priest, and King. While on earth Jesus proclaimed God's will and plan of salvation. He continues to do so today through His Word. Jesus is the Priest who was able to make the once and for all sacrifice to atone for the sin of all mankind. He is the King who defeated the enemy and rules for the benefit of His people.
The Christ is One who works not on a Geo-political level, but on a spiritual one. Our shallow view of what we think is our greatest need pales in view of what Jesus accomplished and what He offers. He did what no mere mortal ever could -- procure salvation for lost sinners. No earthly leader should be elevated to the level of Christ's importance. Nor should we ever lower Jesus to the level of mere mortals and think that He was like some combination of Mark Twain and Mahatma Gandhi. Jesus is the Christ. The only one who can save.
