Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
When King Solomon died, the rule passed to his son, Rehoboam. His story doesn’t take up much space, but it changed the nation of Israel forever. The account of his sad reign can be found in 1 Kings 12-14.
Upon ascending to the throne, he is faced with a huge leadership challenge. His father had made use of forced labor (known as slaves) in several building projects. The people appealed to Rehoboam to back off from the harsh treatment they perceived.
He promised them an answer in three days. In the meantime, Rehoboam sought advice from two groups: one older and wiser, and the other young and reckless.
The older counselors urged him to be kind to the people. Give them what they ask. If he would become the people’s servant this one time, they would become his (voluntary) servants forever.
The younger counselors told him he should show them who is boss. Threaten them severely. They think your father, Solomon, was a heavy burden: tell them your finger is thicker than his waist, they told him.
You don’t have to know the story to guess how it goes. All you need to know is how people with power think and act.
What? Me? You want me to be the servant, rather than the master, for as little as one afternoon?
Well, it ain’t happening. How much better to let them know right off the bat who’s in charge here. They’d best get used to it and stop entertaining silly thoughts of freedom.
This sort of rule, known popularly as “executive power,” has been a curse on humanity since the first tyrant-king, Nimrod, ruled over the first city-states in Genesis 10:8-12.
Executive power might also be called rule by fiat: Do this because I said so. And if you don’t, I have ways at my disposal of making you comply. Executive power depends on the threat of force, and often makes great use of titles and offices. Any authority that exercises coercive power to get you to obey is tyrannical and antichrist.
Christ did not lead in this way. He led by patient instruction and by the attractive power of his example. Rather than be offended at the concept of serving his people, as Rehoboam was, that was the whole design of Christ’s coming to us in the first place. He gave up his divine privileges. Scripture says he emptied himself. Though he existed in the form of God, he humbled himself and was found in appearance as a man, taking the form of a servant.
Celebrating his last Passover meal with his disciples, he put on slave garments and did slave work for them. He told them they had to do the same, and that anyone who wanted to be great in his kingdom must become the slave of all.
It’s a tragedy, therefore, that God’s people are stuck in this rut, the rut of believing that the only way to fix things, to do any real good, is to take over the seats of executive rule and, supposedly, use wicked means to serve Christ, while dominating the very people he died for.
The only way forward is a life focused on service. Add real value to people’s lives, and they will follow your lead.
Gordan Runyan is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tucumcari. Contact him at:
