But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” (Mark 5:36)
I have a lot of sympathy for our leaders. God has delegated authority to the State, the Church, and the Family. And the leaders in these arenas have a difficult job. Decisions are questioned, motivations are questioned, results are questioned. In most situations, leaders have gone willingly into their seats, but those seats are complicated, uncomfortable, and scary.
Yes, scary.
Examining the same story we looked at yesterday, it is no small matter that the man Jesus told to “fear not” is described as a Leader of the Synagogue. We don’t read about the occupation of every character in the Gospel. But here, Mark makes sure we know.
The LEADER of the synagogue was a unique leadership position. The synagogue was a religious place. But it was also a place of secular authority. Similar, probably, to a town elder. So this man was a part of all three of God’s Delegated areas of authority. He is a leader in ‘the Church,’ the State, and the Family.
This man, as he journeys to find Jesus, carried a lot of responsibilities. As a religious leader, he needed to find out who this Jesus was. Messiah? Fraud? Something else? As a state leader, he needed to find out who this Jesus was. Loyalist? Rebel? Claimant to Israel’s throne? As a family leader, he needed to find out who this Jesus was. Healer? Quack? Helper?
And Jesus… King of kings, Lord of lords, Creator and Master speaks to the man in all three of his roles. Jesus is the head of all three of these delegated areas of authority. He is the Chief Magistrate! He is the Head of the Church! He is the Eldest Brother!
And His message is amazingly simple and comforting. Jesus doesn’t tell the man to gather more data and find ALL the facts. Yes, those facts are helpful in making decisions… but there is something else more important.
Jesus doesn’t tell the man to develop a three-step program of improvement and development. Yes, such plans are useful and helpful… but there is something else more important.
Jesus doesn’t tell the man to take a survey and find a popular position. Yes, knowing the mind and will of the governed is a fine thing to do… but there is something else more important.
Jesus tells this leader to BELIEVE. To found his life on faith. As a leader in the State, the Church, and the Family to lead from a position of trusting God. He directs the man to be a Godly leader.
And our leaders need to hear Jesus, too. They (we) live with the option of fear always in the shadows. Fear is common. Fear is what seems to be the popular position.
But Jesus says fear is nothing. Believe, instead.
And THEN decide things. And THEN gather data. And THEN make plans. And THEN take surveys.
We are all in positions of leadership somewhere. Fathers, mothers, siblings, advisors, helpers, watchers, neighbors, supervisors, listeners, prophets, priests, kings. We all lead every day.
But it starts with belief. For all of us!
Fear not, Lead from Belief!