What kind of leader are you? – Leviticus 8-9

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread, and assemble all the congregation at the doorway of the tent of meeting.” (8:1-3)

And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Then fire went out from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell face downward. (9:23-24)

Today, I was in a meeting with a newly selected leader for Baptists in Africa. He is in one of the most respected positions on the continent, yet he refused any deference or accolades. Instead, he said in passing that his role was to be the “first servant” of all. Leaders are essential in our life, and leadership is vital in God’s kingdom. We all lead in different ways, but some are selected for critical roles, as Aaron and his sons were for the nation of Israel. The entire assembly needed to be there and witness their ordination because their job was vital to the spiritual health and wellbeing of the whole nation. They were the ones who would make the sacrifices for sin and be sure that worship and sacrifices were made correctly at the tent of meeting. Their job was to stand before the Lord on behalf of the entire congregation, and they needed to do their job well.

We no longer live under a sacrificial system because Jesus was the sacrifice who completed everything written about in Leviticus. On the cross, He was simultaneously our High Priest, standing between us God’s wrath and our sacrifice as the lamb of God slain for the sins of the world. Yet, today we still need leaders in our churches who have the people’s best interests at heart. A leader in God’s kingdom is not one in secret but one who stands before the people and bears the weight of the responsibility of that office. A leader does not lord over people but instead sees himself as the “first servant” or servant of all. A leader is not someone who asks for that role and would likely hand the weight of it over to someone they think is more qualified and more gifted. Yet, a leader is one who hears God’s call, and with a pure heart, bears the load for the glory of God and the good of their brothers and sisters in Christ. I can imagine the pressure on Aaron as he stood before the entire nation with everyone looking at him and counting on him. Being a good leader is a lonely, tiring, and sometimes thankless job. Who depends on your leadership, and what kind of leader are you?