The Book of Micah is best known for its reference in the Gospel of Matthew to the birth of Jesus.
While earthly leaders often promise much and deliver little, falling short in various ways, the promised baby born in Bethlehem stands out as the greatest leader of all.
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth,
and he shall be the one of peace. Micah 5.2-4
As we think about the life of Jesus, there are three themes that Micah presents in these three verses: Humble beginnings, God’s purpose, and spiritual leadership.
(1) Humble Beginnings: Jesus was born in a stable, a humble beginning for the Son of God. This humility would be a hallmark of His ministry, as He taught His followers to be humble and serve others.
What does Jesus’ humble birth and life tell us about God’s way of working through the humble and the lowly?
Two of the most influential authors in my life are Richard Foster and Dallas Willard. When they met one another, Richard Foster was the pastor of a small Quaker church in the Los Angeles area, and Dallas Willard was one of his Sunday school teachers.
There were several mega-churches in the area, but out of this small congregation, the two men teamed together to produce material that has revolutionized many lives throughout American Christianity.
They had humble beginnings, as they had humble characters, and yet God used them in a mighty way.
Zechariah writes, “Do not despise these small beginnings” (4.10).
Just as God used a baby born in an out-of-the-way town in a small nation to be the Savior of the world, so can God use people like you and me, no matter where we are.
(2) God’s Purpose: Jesus’ life was guided by God’s purpose for Him. He was sent to Earth to teach, heal, and ultimately die for the sins of humanity.
His purpose was to bring salvation to all who would believe in Him.
One crucial truth we should remember about God is that He is at work in history. While the world may be controlled by tyrants or individuals exploiting others, it’s essential to recognize that amidst the chaos and turmoil, God is continuously at work, guiding history toward His desired outcome.
The story of a baby born in Bethlehem who was later tragically crucified in Jerusalem might not seem like an act of God in the world. However, God used this event to transform the lives of millions of people.
God continues to be active in history and will bring the complete work of Jesus to its destined conclusion at the appointed time.
The critical question for us today is: Are we aware of God’s purpose for our lives, and are we living in alignment with it?
Understanding and following God’s will is the chief goal of our existence whether we recognize it or not.
(3) Spiritual Leadership: Jesus was a spiritual leader, teaching His followers about the kingdom of God and how to live a life pleasing to God. He led by example, demonstrating love, compassion, and forgiveness.
We are all followers in some way, so it’s important to be discerning about the leaders we choose to follow.
At the same time, we are also leaders ourselves, even if it’s just a small group of people who look up to us.
As such, it’s equally important that we possess the right qualities to be worthy of their trust and leadership. Here are a couple of questions we should consider when evaluating leaders.
How should we understand the role of leadership as being rooted in divine strength rather than human power?
As of December 2023, Republicans have spent almost $270 million on campaign ads to secure the nomination for president. It is estimated that the entire presidential contest will cost Democrats and Republicans between 10 and 17 billion dollars.
This is an indication of the importance that Americans place in human power.
As we consider leadership from the home to the White House, let’s remember that Jesus depended on His heavenly Father, even when obedience took Him to the cross.
Jesus knew that alignment with the Father’s wishes was more powerful than any other course of action.
We do well to imitate His behavior.
What characteristics should modern spiritual leaders emulate from this description?
To some degree, we are all leaders. Within our families, places of work, churches, and other arenas, someone is watching us and following our example.
The best way to learn how to be a leader is to learn from Jesus. As we read the Gospels, we can learn from Jesus’ actions and teachings. He will show us the way.
The reason why I have extensively read books by Henry Blackaby, Richard Foster, Avery Willis, and Dallas Willard is that these men represent the qualities of Jesus that I want to emulate.
I recommend that you find spiritual leaders that represent Jesus well and learn from them.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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