By Brian Lowe
On Sunday, we looked at Jonah 3. In the story, we see Jonah’s second chance at obedience and God’s kindness toward a people. But, we also see something striking in the response of the king of an evil city to the message of God’s prophet. And part of what we see in Jonah 3 is that the actions of the leader affected those entrusted to his care.
You remember…
The king is entrusted with the leadership of the people of Nineveh. Word reaches him that the people he is entrusted to lead are in danger. Forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown. Now, watch what happens…
- The king gets off his throne.
- He changes his view of himself from exalted and important to humble and repentant.
- He casts a vision for the spiritual direction of his people and leads by example.
- He is hopeful in God’s kindness.
Men, what would it look like if we were to lead like this?
This kind of leadership is needed in every sphere, but most definitely in our churches and families.
What if men…
- Got off our thrones of entitlement and assumed privilege and became humble servants?
- Understood masculinity not as being weak and passive or strong and aggressive…but as a call to be a strong, gentle servant leader who takes primary responsibility to lead, protect, and provide for those entrusted to him?
- Could cast a vision for spiritual direction that was large enough to follow?
- Led that spiritual direction by example so that those who follow found a bold courage in God’s kindness that would prompt radical risk taking for the glory of God?
- Believed the gospel so much that failure would no longer be frightening?
I’m not exactly sure what this would look like, but I know I want to be part of it. I want elders like this who lead with a humble confidence that resembles Jesus. I want husbands and fathers like this whose families flourish under their guidance. I want to be a part of a church where this is happening. And if we are to see it, we must get off our thrones, repent, and hope in God’s kindness. Who knows what our God might do?
