What better time to talk about leaders than Father’s Day! The pioneer man facing a snarling wolf in the doorway of a log cabin while shielding his family within is an iconic picture of fatherhood … and just what Jesus did for us.
I. Ezekiel 22:6-31. God’s people of the Old Testament had sinned greatly over the centuries, and so God was going to sweep them away into captivity. A statement at the end of this passage tells us that He looked for a man to stand before Him in the gap, but that He found none. None at that time were without sin and could save His people from the spiritual wolves growling at Jerusalem’s door.
II. John 10:11-15. Only Jesus could, and He does by His work on the cross. Only the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who is the Lamb that was slain is worthy (Revelation 5:1-12). He is the Good Shepherd who lays His life down for His sheep. It is a serving and sacrificial leadership that He demonstrates. No wonder that the Son that is given is called “Everlasting Father” Isaiah 9:6-7.
III. Joshua 1:1-18. Like any good father-leader, God, though He is able, is not going to do it all for us. Just taking over from Moses, Joshua was told repeatedly to “be strong and courageous” when entering the Promised Land and facing the difficult trials that awaited him. It was enough that God told him that He would never leave or forsake him. So it is with us as we face the wolves at the doors of our lives and protect those around us (Matthew 28:18-20).
There are spiritual gaps everywhere: in the people we know, in the church, in our families, in our marriages, in ourselves! The spiritual wolves are snarling at them, ready to destroy and devour. God is still looking for those, made perfect in Christ, to stand before Him in the gap with the same servant/sacrificial leadership that Jesus had. Are you strong and courageous?