THE TRAGEDY OF WEAK LEADERSHIP

THE TRAGEDY OF WEAK LEADERSHIP

 

Beloved friends, welcome again to today’s broadcast. Again, I wish to commend you for keeping faith by your interest in this broadcast. GOD has continued to help us. And we are thinking of expanding our reach to Rivers State and Kogi State. Continue to pray with us.

The Easter Period opened to us certain topics which we shall continue to explore. Every person has agreed that the problem of Nigerian and Africa in general is leadership. Nigeria has suffered underdevelopment due to poor leadership in most areas of development.

The role Pontius Pilate played during The Trial of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST is a case study of the role of leaders in the society today.

Our topic today is therefore, “The Tragedy of Weak Leadership”.

THE TRAGEDY OF WEAK LEADERSHIP

We shall be reading from The Gospel according to Luke 23:1-16.

Luke 23:1-16

1 Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”

Then Pilate asked Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered him and said, “It is as you say.”

So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.”

But they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place.”

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the Man were a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused Him. 11 Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.

13 Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, 14 said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; 15 no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. 16 I will therefore chastise Him and release Him” 17 (for it was necessary for him to release one to them at the feast).

Let us pray.

PRAYER

Almighty FATHER in Heaven we pray YOU to deliver us from weak leadership we are presently experiencing in our nation, in our state and in our communities. Raise for us leaders in the model of David who will build and rebuild old wastes. Grant that my hearers will aspire to be courageous leaders who will be just, and reject manipulation…in the Name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. AMEN!

The Tragedy of Weak Leadership: Pontius Pilate has been enshrined forever in the cowards’ hall of shame. Though he knew that the charges against JESUS CHRIST were void of substance, yet he delivered the SON of GOD over to the rebellious Jews for crucifixion mainly because of what Wiley Jackson of the Christian Courier   called “Pilate’s Politicism”.

Let us consider the following points:

  1. History will not forget evil weak rulers. History will not forget evil and weak rulers.
  2. Character flaws will be recorded.
  3. The missed opportunity.
  4. The final tragedy of a weak leader.

Let’s go to number one.

 

  1. History will not forget evil and weak rulers. All the New Testament Writers narrate the graceless role Pilate played in the realization of the desires of the Jewish Council. You will find all these accounts recorded in the Gospel According to Matthew 27:15-26 and the Gospel According to Mark 15:6-15. Luke records his in our text, Luke 23:13-25; and John records his own in John 18:39 – 19:15.

 

All these accounts match with historical writings of Jewish Historians and Roman Writers. It is therefore necessary to know that the actions of leaders will be recorded for all to read, whether they are leaders in religious circles or political leaders at National or state levels, even local government levels, community levels – your activities will be recorded for all to read.

 

Let me ask an obvious question, What will be recorded about you, dear leader? Do you remember that you will account for your actions and inactions? This is food for thought.

Let’s go to number two.

  1. The character flaws of a weak leader. No person is perfect, people say. But those placed in authority should not use their position to oppress their subjects. Pilate was not only oppressive, but greedy. His stubbornness was evident when the wife warned him not to have anything to do with that Righteous Man. He was cruel, and for position, allowed himself to be manipulated by the Jewish Council and the crowd. Such a man who knows the laws: what the law says but lacked courage to put his foot down on what he knows to be right. He was into rivalry with Herod and became enemies, only to use the occasion of condemning CHRIST to reconcile. He was a ready tool for the implementation of the evil designs of the envious Jewish Leaders. Pilate introduced into the City of Jerusalem certain ensigns containing the image of Caesar: an act that infuriated the Hebrews – because it was idolatrous in outlook.

In Luke 13:1-3  we read an account of the action of this weak leader.

 

Luke 13:1-3

 

1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

 

Pilate slaughtered some Galilean Jews as they worshiped, mingling  their own blood with that of the animal sacrifices which they were making. Pilate was a brute in all material particular. He wrote an inscription in Hebrew, Greek and Latin to portray JESUS as an imposter. And the Jews asked him to delete it; he insisted that what he has written he has written.

 

Hello listeners and leaders are you different from Pilate? Are you using your position to oppress, amass wealth and deny the citizenry the necessary development which they need? Are you not killing people because of political power? Are you not another Pilate in the making? Think about it, my friend, and repent: otherwise history will consign you were Pilate is consigned.

 

  1. The missed opportunity. Leadership is a great trust, and it comes and fizzles away. You will not be there always. It is supposed to be used for good of the society. Pilate missed an opportunity in history. Do not say he fulfilled purpose or prophecy. He was never mentioned as the one who would fulfill the purpose. GOD had made the salvation plan. GOD will do what HE says HE will do. Do not miss the opportunity of good governance now that you are in authority. Let your name be recorded as a good leader, not a bad leader.

Many people like Pilate miss opportunity in life. Had Pilate stood his ground and insisted on the innocence of JESUS CHRIST he would have been an example of a courageous leader – but alas he condemned the innocent and released a criminal called Barabbas. What a miss of opportunity!

 

The final tragedy of a weak leader is our last point.

  1. The final tragedy of a weak leader. Pilate attempted to wash his hands as if he was not guilty. Pilate will surely stand before our LORD JESUS CHRIST to be judged – yes: with all the Roman Soldiers that nailed HIM to the cross. O how regretful he will be. Beloved friends, what is your take? If you are a leader change your style, serve the people, bring development – do not oppress them. If you are a governor as Pilate was, be courageous catalyze development, make good history; if you are not one now, determine to rule well – when it is your own turn. Do not miss the opportunity. Make good history.

 

Let us pray.

PRAY

Heavenly FATHER, The FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, we have a need in this nation – and the need is: good leaders. We pray and ask, O GOD, that YOU will raise unto us leaders like David who, O GOD, will develop the land and rule in justice and righteousness, and the people, O GOD our FATHER, will rejoice: because that is what the bible says…in JESUS Mighty NAME we have prayed. Amen!

 

 

 

Comments(3)

  1. Reply
    Ihuoma Mesirionye says:

    May God help our leaders both in the church and society at large. Thank you pastor Amara for the good work you are doing, may you not labor in vain in Jesus name.

  2. Reply
    Ekechi Jeffrey says:

    I love your teachings. More grace.
    Extend your branch to Ebonyi State, Onueke Ezza to be precise. Thank you.

    • Reply
      I A says:

      Dear Jeff, we appreciate your interest and satisfaction with this project the LORD has begun with The Master’s Vessel Ministry.

      We have a church at Abakiliki and Ikwo. We’ll be ready to open a church in Ezza, with your help.

      Thank you and GOD bless you.

      President Amara

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