Word Power… with Ladi Ayodeji
The leadership models I see in the Bible remain for me, the best templates we need in our generation if we are to turn our nation around. Righteous governance is the ideal pattern we need, to take us out of the ditch and nobody embodies that type of governance more than Jesus, the three-dimensional shepherd.
I call him the three-dimensional shepherd on account of three scriptures: In John 10:11, where Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd; 1 Peter 5:4 identifies Him as the Chief Shepherd; in Heb. 13:20, He is called the Great Shepherd. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus proved to be all three types of shepherd or leader rolled into one.
The first thing about these three descriptions of the leadership roles of Christ is that he did not just call Himself the good shepherd, He tells us why in John 10:11: He said, I am the good shepherd: “The Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” He indeed gave His life for His sheep; those are the people who accept Him as Lord and Saviour. This is the perfect example of sacrificial leadership. A good leader must be willing to sacrifice anything, including their own life, for the sake of their followers.
Every sacrifice involves the shedding of the blood of either an animal or a human being. Jesus says, to qualify as a good leader, that person must be willing to lay down their life for the sake of the people. That is true leadership, the hallmark of a good leader.
Jesus spoke about another type of shepherd: “But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf catches them and scatters the sheep”.
In Ps. 100:12, He went on to explain that the hireling flees, because he is a hireling (hired hand) who doesn’t care for the lives of the sheep. Most of our political leaders are hirelings, not leaders. Each time there was a coup in the past, our political leaders fled the country, leaving the people behind. They escaped to safe climes because they were hirelings, not good shepherds.
Most of our leaders today do not love the people at all. They only use them to get power. Imagine the scandalous salaries our lawmakers earn, yet it is a problem to pay N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) minimum wage. Our leaders take care of their own welfare and do not care about the people. True leaders sacrifice; ours don’t. Our leaders sponsor thugs to maim and kill to rig election. What sort of leaders are these?
Jesus said, he that doesn’t enter into the sheepfold by the door but climb up some other way to enter, is a thief and a robber – Jn. 10:1. That’s like saying all those who rig election to get power are robbers. These crooked leaders are not known by the people because they emerge with stolen mandates. So, they do not hear the voice of the people because the people did not elect them anyway. Jesus said, “I know my sheep and they know me and hear my voice”. Our leaders do not hear our cries (voice) because they forced their way into power, and we do not know each other, we never had a relationship. They forced themselves on the people.
There must be genuine bonding between a leader and those they lead. The sheep hears Jesus’ voice because they bond naturally. Jesus said in a parable that a shepherd left ninety-nine sheep and went out to look for only one that was missing – Matt. 18:12-14. Woah! Look at that! Jesus used that parable to show that God cares for every single soul so much so that He doesn‘t want any person to perish.
But here, our leaders do not care whether you live or die, so long as they and members of their families are safe Even before Covid-19. Thousands die daily in substandard hospitals while our leaders travel abroad on medical tourism to treat malaria and typhoid fever. In Pet 5:3-4, the Apostle, talking to leaders (shepherds), said: “Feed the flock of God, which is among you, taking the oversight (leadership) thereof, not by constraint, but willingly not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as being Lords (dictators) over God’s heritage, but being an example to the flock (people).”
Then, Apostle Peter added in the next verse v5: “and when the Chief Shepherd (Jesus) shall appear (in His second coming), ye shall receive a crown that feedeth not away.” Any crown a leader gets now; any power will ultimately fade away because it is for a season. Where are the leaders of yesterday? They are almost forgotten. The present leaders will likewise fade into oblivion when they leave the office.
The only enduring crown a true leader can get is the one given by the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus in the day of judgement.
Finally, in Heb 13:20, Jesus is described as the Great Shepherd of the sheep because of His mighty deeds on behalf of the people. He fed thousands, healed the sick, raised the dead and saved all sinners who accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
Greatness is never bought. Greatness can’t be forced; like Jesus, let your deeds make you great.
Memory verse: Ecclesiastes 12: For wisdom is a defence and money is a defence but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
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Send Your Nagging Questions To: PASTOR TELL ME –
ladibest16@gmail.com 09059243004 (SMS, email, WhatsApp only)
Q: Can a true Christian wear make-up?
A: Yes there’s nothing wrong in that and the Bible does not oppose it
Q: How best can I discover my calling?
A: It has to be proved if you have a burden for soul winning, for instance, embark on evangelism. If you do, you’d bear fruit or have peace, that’s your area of calling.
Just try out the area you feel called and the result will prove it.
Pastor Ladi can be reached for speaking engagements, counselling or mentoring via 09059243004 (SMS, email & WhatsApp only).
