Earthly rulers and spiritual leaders – what’s the difference? How should we view them? Which is more important?
Scripture:
Isaiah, chapters 25-28; Hebrews, chapter 13
Hebrews 13:1-8 (CEB):
Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place.
Marriage must be honored in every respect, with no cheating on the relationship, because God will judge the sexually immoral person and the person who commits adultery. Your way of life should be free from the love of money, and you should be content with what you have. After all, he has said, “I will never leave you or abandon you.” This is why we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, and I won’t be afraid. What can people do to me?”
Remember your leaders who spoke God’s word to you. Imitate their faith as you consider the way their lives turned out. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
Observations: Leaders and Rulers
The upcoming election dominates people’s thoughts and conversations. This is nothing new. I’ve been voting in presidential elections since 1980. Every cycle begins earlier and gets louder. While the names and faces change, the message stays the same: “If the other side wins, we’re doomed!”
In that regard, we need to remember that the Bible repeatedly calls on believers to pray for our “rulers” – governmental officials on whatever levels. For example:
- Romans 13:1 – “Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. There isn’t any authority unless it comes from God, and the authorities that are there have been put in place by God.”
- Titus 3:1-2 – “Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities. They should be obedient and ready to do every good thing. They shouldn’t speak disrespectfully about anyone, but they should be peaceful, kind, and show complete courtesy toward everyone.”
- 1 Peter 2:13-15 – “For the sake of the Lord submit to every human institution. Do this whether it means submitting to the emperor as supreme ruler, or to governors as those sent by the emperor. They are sent to punish those doing evil and to praise those doing good. Submit to them because it’s God’s will that by doing good you will silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”
But in today’s passage from Hebrews 13, the writer does not talk about “rulers.” Instead, he talks about “leaders.” There’s a big difference! “Rulers” are those who have authority from a position. “Leaders” are those who have authority through their influence.
“Remember Your Leaders”
In verse 7 our author says, “Remember your leaders who spoke God’s word to you. Imitate their faith as you consider the way their lives turned out.” Those two phrases are critically important. We should not “follow the leader” if the leader is not speaking God’s word to us. And it’s not enough for them to just speak it; they must also model it. Consider the way their lives turned out.
Later in chapter 13, our writer brings us back to this point. “Rely on your leaders and defer to them, because they watch over your whole being as people who are going to be held responsible for you” (Hebrews 13:17). We submit to our “rulers,” because they serve under God’s authority. But we remember and imitate our “leaders” – those who have shown us how to follow Jesus.
Application: Leaders and Rulers
Frankly, we pay far too much attention and invest far too much energy in the matter of our “rulers.” I think that’s because we can participate in our system of government. No Christians in the early church era were involved in choosing the emperor! On many levels, we’re blessed – but that blessing can be a two-edged sword. The fact that we can participate does not mean that our “rulers” are more important than our “leaders” – and they are definitely NOT the same!
I think we need to remember a couple of important points. First, Scripture tells us to submit to the “rulers,” no matter who they are. (Remember, the emperor when Paul and Peter were writing their letters was Nero.) The fact that we can participate in elections doesn’t mean that we are excused from submitting to the government when “our side” loses. Both political camps have refused to acknowledge and accept results recently (the “resistance” when Trump was elected in 2016, the claims of a “stolen” election in 2020). As Christians, we are called to submit to our “rulers” and pray for them.
Second, we need to remember that our “leaders” deserve at least the same level of submission as our “rulers.” Unfortunately, many within the Church seem to forget this teaching. “Rely on your leaders and defer to them, because they watch over your whole being as people who are going to be held responsible for you.” It is a sobering task to be responsible for the spiritual welfare of others.
Jesus Christ, Our Leader AND Ruler!
Our passage for today from Hebrews 13 closes with this encouragement: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! For the believer, Jesus is both “ruler” and “leader.” We submit to his authority as citizens of his kingdom, and we follow his example as the “pioneer and perfecter” of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He never changes. Truth never changes. His priorities never change. Governments change. Earthly “rulers” change. But Jesus never does! “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Submit to earthly “rulers,” but follow those “leaders” who point us to the Leader!
Prayer:
Father, we confess that it is so easy to become overwhelmed by all of the political noise in our culture. We focus far too much on who our “rulers” are and not nearly enough on our “leaders.” Thank you for reminding us to remember our leaders who speak your word to us. Help us to rely on them and defer to them, because you have appointed them to lead us. Teach us to put our trust in those leaders who point us toward Jesus, rather than those “rulers” who tell us what we want to hear. Amen.
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