Reflecting on John 9:13-34“They were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.” (John 9:22)
The parents were afraid of the religious leaders.
The religious leaders controlled access to God.
They decided who was in, and who was out.
Anyone who disagreed with them was insulted and excommunicated.
What a horrible abuse of power by these religious leaders.
It is religious leaders like this who are the wolves in sheep’s clothing.
They are the bad shepherds that God warned about in Ezekiel 34.
They are in stark contrast to Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
When the sheep are afraid of the shepherds, you know something is wrong.
Leaders who lead by fear and shame are not serving God or Jesus.
As a faith community, we need to beware of this kind of leadership.
We are meant to help people find Jesus, not guilt or pressure them to conform.
We should encourage seekers and welcome those who struggle.
Driving people out who do not agree with us is not discipline, it is abuse.
May our leadership not inspire fear, but hope and healing in Jesus!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help us not to lead with fear or shame or pressure. May no one be driven from our fellowship simply because they see You differently than we do.
I need to be like a conduit sharing the love of Christ, to be a stepping stone and not a stumbling block.
Come to the Savior, now,
he offers all to you,
and on his merits you
can plead for life anew.
No vain excuses frame,
respond to Christ today!
None who to Jesus came
were ever sent away.