There are two passages assigned for today!

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [Isaiah 9:6]
Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray. [Isaiah 9:16]
There are two sections in today’s reading, the first part describing the great leader that is to come, and the second part about the failure of the existing leaders, and the terrible consequences.
The coming messiah will be amazing, the greatest leader ever – and that is because the coming messiah will be God Himself, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, in the flesh.
All other leaders are weak and limited, and tarnished by their sinful, selfish nature.
History provides ample evidence of flawed leadership; what is needed is a leader that will not fail us.
A leader with speaks with real authority, and leads with real integrity.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. [Matthew 7:28-29]
Jesus is this messiah, proclaiming the kingdom of David, the kingdom of God.
He speaks and acts with authority, and lives and leads with integrity.
People sense in His the awe of the mighty God, and the grace of the everlasting Father; His counsel is wonderful and everything about Him expresses peace.
He is a leader like no other; the religious leaders had positions of authority, but they did not carry that authority well.
People noticed the difference.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. [Matthew 23:1-3]
The reality is, no leader can compare to Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we honour Him as our first leader; we take our cue from Him, and our authority is secondary, derived from Him.
Jesus does not advocate rebellion against appointed leaders, for their positions have been entrusted to them by God.
But He does urge people to go beyond their flawed, limited leaders, to be like Him.

This passage shows us how urgent it is that we have Christ-like leadership, and that we be Christ-like leaders.
When leaders do not lead like Christ, the consequences on those they lead are devastating.
The people themselves are led astray, and become like their leaders – vile, cruel, immoral.
As leaders, we must aim to be like Jesus, for He is the perfect leader.
Although we will never be perfect, the more we are like Him, the more those around us will benefit.

PRAYER:
Lord, may I lead like You, and lead people to You. Keep me close to You, that I may not lead others astray.