Was listening to a sermon recently that referenced Moses interceding for the Israelites & as it does, my mind began to wander, thinking of times in Scripture when a human being intercedes or advocates for someone else: A Thread
Obvious examples:
Abraham interceding on behalf of Lot & Sodom
Paul interceding for his fellow Israelites
Abigail interceding for Nabal
Mary interceding on behalf of guests at wedding
Parents interceding for children to be made whole
Abraham interceding on behalf of Lot & Sodom
Paul interceding for his fellow Israelites
Abigail interceding for Nabal
Mary interceding on behalf of guests at wedding
Parents interceding for children to be made whole
Sometimes advocating for mercy, sometimes for healing, there's something beautiful about one human being stepping in & taking up the cause of another that ultimately culminates in Jesus taking up the cause of his Bride.
BUT THEN... I thought about how prone we are to do the opposite, how easily we trample each other to save ourselves. Then I thought about the first Adam in the garden who threw *his* bride under the bus.
Regardless of fault, culpability, etc., there is something particularly craven about this act, those words "the woman you gave me"--something so self-serving & cowardly that they could only be redeemed by the Second Adam sacrificing himself, interceding & advocating for us.
In fact, this principle of self-sacrifice & intercession is so central to the gospel that I immediately distrust those who blame or condemn others in order to protect themselves.
Those who look & act like Christ are the first to advocate & protect others, especially the weak. They step up. They intercede.
In fact, the example of the First Adam runs so counter to that of the Second that when I hear those in leadership making excuses or shifting blame instead of advocating & interceding, my radar immediately goes up.
Obviously, each situation has its own dynamics, its own facts. But I know this, whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, we must understand how quickly we become self-serving, trampling others in a mad rush to the exit.
This is not the way of the Savior. Our Jesus intercedes, advocates, rescues others at risk to himself. Those who lead like him would do the same.
So as a matter of practical wisdom: If you are under the leadership of those who do not take responsibility for others, whose MO is to blame & condemn, who see other's faults before their own, know that you are in a dangerous place. This is not a matter of tone but of substance.
And as you lead others--whether formally or informally--know that you are most like our Savior when you intercede & advocate for others, when you sacrifice your comfort & stability for their good, when you die to self that others might live.
