Matthew 14:5-12 ESV And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
Reading through the Old Testament one can easily see a consistent theme. The king determined the moral compass of the nation. When the king followed God, the people did so as well. When the king worshipped idols, the people followed his example. This shows how important it is to have good leadership in the Church.
The kings of Israel and Judah were in a unique position. They were not religious leaders, the priests fulfilled that role, but they were the leaders of God’s chosen people. In a sense, the nation and “the church” were the same. This situation no longer exists.
In Jesus day, Herod was the ruler of God’s people (not a king like his father but a tetrarch, a type of hereditary governor). He was involved in an immoral relationship. He had divorced his first wife, an Arabian princess, to marry Herodias who was both his brother’s wife and his niece. This relationship was triply wrong under Mosaic Law.
This passage shows Herod to be a weak and petty leader. He was impulsive and controlled by his passions. His incestuous desire for Herodias led him to divorce his first wife which ended a political alliance and started a series of border wars. The pleasure of a young teenage girl’s dance (she would have been about 13 years old) prompted him to make a foolish promise.
Add to Herod’s weaknesses the sin of pride. Despite enjoying listening to John teach (Mark 6:20), Herod refused to heed his words. Then when his step-daughter asks him to commit murder as the reward for her dancing prowess, he is forced to comply because he doesn’t want to admit that he made a mistake in front of his guest.
Is it any wonder that the people did not recognize their Messiah when He came to them? They were following the leadership of a weak man with little self-control or discernment.
Leadership of the Church has the same impact. Godly leaders will draw the people closer to God. Leaders who are motivated by anything other than holiness will weaken the congregation. This is not to say that each individual has no responsibility. We will all stand before God. Claiming that we were misled will not be a sufficient defense if Jesus says that He never knew you.
People choose the church they attend for a variety of reasons, many of them poor. A skilled worship team or an active youth group is not bad by itself but they do not make up for deficient leadership.
When a church has good solid leaders who are grounded in the Word, conduct their affairs in a manner that honors God, and guide the church with humble strength then the people in that church will have an environment for spiritual growth. If the leaders also have charisma and style, so much the better, but those qualities are not required.
God leadership strengthens the people, poor leadership weakens them.
Thank You Lord for Godly leaders! Help me to remember to pray for those who guide me spiritually and give them the honor they are due.