Appointed Leader
There are leaders in just about every area of life. I would argue that everyone is a leader at some level or at some point in time. There are leaders that rise to the top of an organization and there are leaders who are hired or appointed. Some leaders simply have a title and are not strong in leadership. I’m a fan of John Maxwell and his work in the leadership arena. He reminds us that leaders are readers and leaders are learners.
As I was reading about Jesus’ fiasco of due process under the Jewish leadership and Roman leadership, it’s obvious that Pilate was an appointed leader, not really leading. Check this out….
9 “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. 10 (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 11 But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. 12 Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”
13 They shouted back, “Crucify him!”
14 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”
But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”
15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. (Mark 15:9-15 NLT)
The “leading priests” were leading the crowd AND the Roman Governor. I do realize that in our form of government we are led by people we elect to lead. Sometimes our choices are good and sometimes they are horrible. There are times when elections occur that I’m scratching my head and wondering how these leaders arrived at that level. I do realize that the more people a leader is leading, the more often many will not agree with where the leader is leading.
In my work life, I’ve had different leadership positions and I’ve tried to be very grace filled toward people in leadership. I’ve had strong disagreements with local government leaders, but I do respect the position they hold. I appreciate it when they try to understand my position in a petition before them. I can respect them even in disagreement. I get a little frustrated when a leader is disrespectful to the people he or she is leading. I’ve also been in hard leadership dilemmas that no matter the decision, others are hurt are frustrated.
Back to Pilate…. I believe he should have sought counsel from a peer in leadership rather than letting a mob make his decision for him. Please don’t misunderstand, I believe Jesus would have eventually been crucified because He came to earth to become the Ultimate sacrifice for sin. Pilate was an appointed leader of the Romans over that part of the world, and he didn’t want to make waves, so he let the mob rule.
I think as I lead at multiple levels, I should seek to understand the different options or choices before me. I think I should seek counsel to make sure there isn’t something I’m missing. In the end, I must make the best decision possible given the information I have in front of me.
Pressing On!
Dwayne