Ultimate Leadership: Christ the King
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety.” (Jer 23:5-6)
A reflection on Christ the King as the ultimate excellent leader evokes an evaluation of leaders from the people point of view and from God’s revealed perspective, with a peek into the much needed everlasting hope. I’ve come to a conclusion that for every leader there is a lovely good side and an ugly bad side – at least according to people. Is it a Head of State, company MD, a leader in a Faculty or School, or even a Bishop: mention any former leader famous for his bad side, and someone will pop up with a good thing they did; likewise, mention a very good former leader, and someone will cringe his face and mention a nasty thing they did! When it comes to leadership, people almost always fall short; two reasons stand out: First, people are impossible to satisfy, and therefore they will always have something to complain about – the levels are what differ. Secondly, human leaders are taken from the stock of fallen human nature, and no one is perfect; both before people and before God, no one will be perfect.
Given the above scenarios, it is futile to evaluate leaders from the people’s view point. It is rather better to listen to God’s evaluation; he appreciates faithful leaders even with their shortcomings – like Abraham, David, John Baptist and others. However, he does not spare bad leaders; the Lord God complains today as in the days of Prophet Jeremiah (23:1 NLT): “What sorrow awaits the leaders of My people—the shepherds of My sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for!” While calling for their reform, He makes a promise of a revolution. While threatening them to turn today’s leaders away from their vices and selfish operations, He makes a promise of ‘a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land’.
The Promise has a double fulfillment in Jesus Christ first coming which we commemorate and His second coming which we await. But can you imagine, even He in his excellence, Jesus was both celebrated and despised! While in his infancy royal wise men from the East came seeking a new born King, he ended up on the cross with people sneering at him and mocking, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ Yet somehow a notice was fixed above him with the words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. No one knew at that time that there will be a resurrection victory that would usher Jesus Christ into an eternal preeminence in which He shall reign for ever and ever. Position yourself in faith and get ready for the perfect kingdom at whose helm will be Jesus Christ the King.
God bless you all.