Wingham United Church

November 1, 2026

Leading By Example

Joshua 3:7-17
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12
 

          I’ve always thought that the story of Israel finally, after 40 years of wandering, crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land was a great metaphor for the church. A leader receives his direction from God and, by faith, does as he is instructed to do. One man is selected from each of the twelve tribes, indicating the importance of leadership from within the congregation and of the whole congregation being represented.

          Then the tough part. Those twelve people from among the congregation must have sufficient trust and faith in both their leader and God to become leaders themselves for the sake of their congregation. These priests must step into the flood swollen waters of the Jordan and risk being swept away BEFORE the waters stop flowing from upriver. They then must stand in the middle of the riverbed while the entire nation of Israel passes by. First in, last out.

          Who knows how long whatever barrier is holding back the waters upstream might hold? Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of people walk past them while they stand there holding Israel’s most cherished possession, no doubt keeping an eye upstream, knowing full well that if the waters came, they would have no chance to escape. But if they don’t, would the rest of the congregation follow them to safety? These leaders must lead by example.

          Paul points out to the Thessalonians that while he and his disciples were living among them, sharing the gospel and planting the new church, they too led by example, working hard and with integrity, placing no burden on those people new to the church and the faith. Now he is calling on them to “lead a life worthy of God,” but he has already demonstrated that he asks nothing of them that he is not willing to do himself.

          In the verses leading up to this, Paul compares himself to a nursing mother, nurturing their new-born faith. Now he has become the metaphorical father figure, encouraging them to follow his example because once you hear the gospel and believe, you are called to change the way you live to match what you now believe.

          Jesus, on the other hand, points out the failure of the Pharisees to lead with this kind of integrity. They are more of the “do as I say, not as I do” variety, pointing out the failures of others and adding to their burdens while not only failing to live by their own teaching, but also doing nothing to help those upon whom they inflicted these burdens.

          That’s not to say that their teachings were wrong. Jesus upholds their authority to teach and to lead, but tells his listeners to follow their words, not their example. In fact, Jesus goes on to explain not only the faults with the example of the Pharisees, but also how his followers should set the example for others to observe, and therefore learn from them, for we are all called to lead in some way. Jesus’ way of leadership, however, is humble service.

          Where the Pharisees liked to put on a big show and enjoyed the sense of celebrity to which they were treated, Jesus tells us that the greatest among us will be the person who quietly goes about doing the right things and living their life according to his teachings and God’s will without fanfare. In case you are wondering, those prayer boxes Jesus mentioned, known as phylacteries are small leather pouches or boxes in which the faithful would place passages of scripture that carried special meaning for them, not unlike I have been carrying the words of Philippians 4:8 in my pocket since the week before Thanksgiving. They were originally meant to be worn tied to your left bicep, next to your heart, where you would be constantly reminded of the wisdom or inspiration contained within. Some Pharisees, however, developed the practice of wearing oversized phylacteries so that they could be seen by others, and some even took to wearing them strapped to their forehead, where they were even more obvious. A practice intended to help deepen your relationship with God became a decoration meant to impress other people.

          The lesson that comes from these three teachings is relatively simple. Quietly, humbly live the life you are called to live, and people will be inspired by your faith and leadership and, hopefully, follow suit.

          It’s simple, but it sure isn’t easy. In fact, it can be downright dangerous. The priests in our Hebrew Scripture lesson ran the risk of being swept away in the flood. Christian leaders in society today run a much greater risk of being swept away in the tide of public opinion or peer pressure. The humble servant is often seen as weak. The work we do without fanfare goes unnoticed and we run the risk of being undervalued or passed over for promotion. Our society rewards the braggard and the blow hard and the humble servant quietly living life according to the Spirit is far more often ignored than revered. How can you lead by example if no one knows what you do, or that you even exist?

          That, fortunately, is not our concern. We can only ever be responsible for our own integrity. The goal is not about worldly recognition or earthly reward. Living a life worthy of God is about living in such a way that God notices and is pleased. It is about living a material life in such a way that we can be confident of heavenly rewards.

          So, to be the kind of leader Jesus calls us to be, we must first follow. Just as Joshua followed the instructions of God before leading Israel to Jordan’s bank, and just as the priests followed Joshua’s leadership when they stepped into the rushing water. They were faithful to the task set before them. With the waters still rushing past, they stepped into the river – to the ankle, then the knees, then the waist. Faithful leadership in action. No honoured title, no special seat at the banquet. No flowing robes with long, golden tassels to show off. They knew the people had to go somewhere, so they lead the way. The river somehow, miraculously, was dammed up upstream, and the water at their crossing point began to recede until they were standing on dry ground. And they stood in the centre of the river while all the people whom they were called upon to lead walked by to safety. They were the first into the river, when the risk was the greatest, and they were the last to step out the other side, into the reward they were reaching for.

          That is the Biblical model of true leadership. First in, last out. Taking the greatest risk and receiving the least reward, at least, on this side of Heaven. Not being honoured and revered but living life as a servant to those you are called to lead; to guide, advise, and help. I know from experience, it is a difficult road, but it is the path of the true believer.

          If there was a feast held to celebrate that crossing, I would hope those 12 leaders were given places of honour. I hope speeches were made and songs sung of their faith and courage. I hope people thought to say “Thanks” as they streamed past them while they stood in the middle of the riverbed, holding the Ark of God to keep everyone safe. I hope their sacrifice and service was remembered fondly for the rest of their lives and talked about at their funerals. They had earned it.

          Those leaders demonstrated what it means to truly lead. To go ahead, to take the risk, to show people the way and keep them safe. It isn’t about the pursuit of glory and honour. It isn’t about titles and banquet invitations or putting on a big show. Leadership is about humble service.

          The same holds true for all of us. We who call ourselves Christians are called upon to lead; lead our families, our congregations, our communities, even our nation and our world. We are called to show the way, not by talking about it, but by living it, demonstrating it, doing it even when it is risky and never with the intent of receiving a reward or honour. Sure, it is nice to be thanked, and it is great to be recognized for doing a good job, but that is not to be our motivation. Doing what needs to be done according to the will of God is reward in and of itself.

          Paul congratulated the Thessalonians for having heard and received God’s word, then encouraged them to follow the Spirit to live lives worthy of God, thus leading their families and neighbours to strive for the same.

          When we become members of the church, it is not to receive special favours or honours, it is a commitment to serve; to do for others what we can, regardless of cost or risk. We too must follow the Spirit and lead lives worthy of God if we are to lead our society and our children back to the path of Christ, the path of justice, peace, and harmony. I once heard it said that a parent who set a good example didn’t have to worry about setting the rules, and for the one who didn’t, no number of rules would matter. And just as Paul acted as surrogate mother and father for those with whom he shared his faith, we, as the church, are called to become surrogate parents for all God’s children. We must become the leaders that step into the waters and show others the way into God’s Promised Land, or we will surely all be swept away.

Rev. Colin Snyder, MDiv.