In Luke chap 22:26 Jesus teaches his disciples how humble they should be as leaders ‘’.., the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves’’ To demonstrates this to his disciples Bible says “ Jesus got up .. wrapped a towel around his waist … then he began washing his disciples’ feet Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, ..I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’’
On the other hand the faithful community has a divine obligation to respect and obey the leaders ,follow their way of life, and imitate their faith. Bibles teaches ‘’Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.’’Surely then the question arise : Are we to obey and follow the leaders blindly , everyone of them and on everything they say and do ? If the above bible verse is taken in isolation, as is very often done by many spiritual leaders to claim immunity for their acts, the answer may appear to be a big Yes but that is hardly the teaching of Bible. Jesus taught 15 “Watch out for false prophets…. in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly .. are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them.. ‘’ He taught us to ‘’ Be as wise as snakes and as innocent as doves.’’ And Apostle Paul warns , not to heed to anyone who gives a different gospel , even if an angel from heaven. So the sheep is not expected to be foolish to follow a wolf and become its food. In John chap 10, Jesus teaches clearly who is a true shepherd and who is a false one. 1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees,anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, …, is a thief and a robber 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.
In the same streak as he said the teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, he strongly rebuked and ridiculed them for their hypocrisy and said do not do what they do. He said about the then leaders ‘’You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces’’ .., who neglect the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness, .. like whitewashed tombs, …but on the inside are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Jude 1:17 reminds us “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, …not have the Spirit’’ Jesus warned “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Could not we see the very same instincts and persona in many of current crop of leaders ?
In Bible we come across many examples of true leaders to emulate. Job was a leader and about him , it is written, ‘’ I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban’’
Jeremiah, a great prophet , was imprisoned, chained , put in mud pit, wore the yoke of wood and iron, for siding with Lord, for saying His Words. In the book of Esther, we read ‘’ when Mordecai learned of the evil plan of Haman to eliminate the Jews , he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out .. wailing loudly and bitterly and Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “…. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. .., I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Have they done this for themselves ? It was their love for their people and God. And Esther ask ‘’ how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people?..” We see the same spirit in Ezra, Nehemiah and many others prophets and leaders . When people pleaded to Samuel to pray for them his response was ‘’ As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you’’ In Psalms 69:6 David prays ‘’ Lord, the LORD Almighty, may those who hope in you and seek you not be disgraced because of me; ..’’ In holy qurbana , a priest says a pray which has somewhat same meaning, probably rooted in this bible verse. But seeing the way our spiritual leaders unleashed every weapon in their munitions store to destroy the folk of Kuwait Marthomites in every possible manner , I doubt, such leaders ever even tried to comprehend what they pray or say. And as we come to New Testament , we see apostles who call their folk as ‘brothers’ and who dedicated and sacrificed their life to spread gospel and carry on the mighty and wonderful work of their Lord, and they did not serve by issuing kalppanas.
Samuel was a prophet and the last to lead the people of Israel as a Judge, when he became old he called all the people of Israel and said ‘‘Here I stand. Testify against me …Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? And the people responded “You have not cheated or oppressed us,” ( 1 Samuel Chap.12 )
Does the dioecism bishop, who was their spiritual leader, have the face and courage to ask these questions to their folk in Kuwait Marthoma Church, and even if he barefacedly muster the audacity to ask , could he expect a firm ‘ no’ form at least 10 % of the people ? A great prophet like Samuel had the humility to tell ‘’ If I have done any of these things, I will make it right’’ but what about the current leaders who stick to the stand that their Kalppana is irrevocable and beyond review even if it is flouting all norms of justice. Could he say like apostles who said ‘’ We are sure that we have a clear conscience …’’’ A good shepherd who enter thru gate will walk straight path and do not devise crocked plans to deceive the folk , he will not pervert the justice and will not go all out to hide the truths, will not scatter and destroy the folk. What is there we could see in him to emulate and obey as a leader ?
The book of Daniel and book of Esther should be an eye opener to those who trust in scepter of authority to rule over people, to see how it could boomerang when used injudiciously and with malafied intent. Haman, cunningly used this scepter of authority to get a ‘ Kalppana’ form the King to eliminate the Jews but later the very scepter boomeranged on Him to bring his own end. In the book of Daniel, we see scepter of King was artfully used by enemies of God to entrap and eliminate Daniel and His people, but again the very scepter of authority of the King boomeranged on those who devised the evils and they become food for the lions and fury of fire. People, leader or nation who become too proud and arrogant with their authority should read Ezekiel chap 31, as we come to verse 18, we see what is fated for them, ‘’ … Now you will be chopped down… send down to … join the godless and other victims of violent death. There is an accountability awaiting every leader, and they should not forget there is an authority above every authority and there is a supreme authority watching over all authorities. (Ecclesiastes 5:8 ) Even today, there is no death of leaders who lead people astray, and proclaim ‘peace’ if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them.’’ (Micah 3:5 ) Malakhi 2:7says “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, …8 But .. by your teaching have caused many to stumble. “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, ..” The unprecedented level of humiliation faced by the spiritual leaders in Kuwait Marthoma Church abolition is a clear example of this intervention of God of truth and justice, if they have a modicum of wisdom they should accept this instead of browbeating and blaming the whistle blowers
Jesus said anyone who serve even a glass of water to His servant will not go unrewarded. Even a smallest upadesi who genuinely serve the Lord deserve the highest regard and respect this is not for the merits of that person per se but coz of the One whom he serve. But we need to be watchful against those who charade spirituality and masquerade in semblance of god men and go around with a perpetual phony grin pasted on the face to practice self- indulgence and self-glorification but ne’er-do-well for the professed goals. Those who profess to serve the Lord should always remember even a donkey is honored with red carpet welcome when Jesus is riding on it , but once Jesus is out nobody will sing hosanna in front of it and if any one do that , people will call him a donkey. I will pity on a leaders who think tehy could rule over the people by scepter of authority, invoking clauses in constitution. It is too naïve on their part to think people become members of Marthoma Church reading what is there in the constitution and if that is the case church should not baptize people till they get over at least age 18 and membership should be limited to those who are literate enough to read and understand constitution.
sajan