THE SEED
“Come, follow me.” Mark 1:17
The importance of leadership is neither doubted nor debated—in government, education, business, or church. Elisha, like most leaders, begins as a follower. Elijah finds him plowing in his family’s field and summons Elisha to follow him, just as God has directed (1 Kings 19:16). Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha, a symbol of anointing him for leadership. Then, after literally burning his “bridge” (a yoke is a bridge between two oxen) behind him, Elisha sets out to follow Elijah and become his servant. When Jesus calls his disciples, the recurring word is not “Lead for me” but “Follow me.” To Peter he says, “Feed my sheep,” not “Lead my sheep.” And when he examines Peter, Jesus examines Peter’s love for him, not his leadership skills (see John 21:15-17). Pastors are gifted, commissioned leaders in Jesus’ church. So they are called to lead people—first to faith in Christ, and then to maturity in faith. And the heart of that maturity is simply to follow Christ. There is no better way to lead for Christ than to follow hard after Christ.
BIBLE READING: 1 KINGS 19:19-21
PRAYER: Father, in this season, grip our hearts so that we may willingly and faithfully follow Jesus. In his name we hope and pray. Amen.
JIJE OMOLEHIN
IRUGBIN NAA
“Wá, tẹle mi.” Máàkù 1:17
Pataki jije olori kii se oun to je iyemeji tabi ariyanjiyan ninu ijoba, ẹkọ, iṣowo, tabi ile ijọsin. Eliṣa, gẹgẹ bi ọpọlọpọ awọn aṣaaju, bẹrẹ bi ọmọlẹhin. Èlíjà rí i tí ó ń tulẹ̀ nínú oko ìdílé rẹ̀ ó sì pe Èlíṣà láti tẹ̀ lé e, gege bí Ọlorun ti pàṣẹ (1 Àwọn Ọba 19:16). Elija ju aso re sori Elisa,eyi to je ami ifororoyan fun adari. Leyìn náà, leyìn tí Èlíṣà ti jó “afárá” rẹ̀ leyìn rẹ̀, Èlíṣà gbéra láti tẹ̀ lé Èlíjà, ó sì di ìránṣe rẹ̀. Nígbà tí Jésù pe àwọn ọmọ ẹ̀yìn rẹ̀, ọ̀rọ̀ tó ń sọ léraléra kì í ṣe “Ṣamọ̀nà fún mi” bí kò ṣe “Tẹ̀ lé mi.” Ó sọ fún Pétérù pé, “Máa bo àwọn àgùntàn mi,” kì í ṣe “Máa darí àwọn àgùntàn mi.” Nígbà tí ó sì ṣàyẹ̀wò Peteru, Jesu ṣàyẹ̀wò ìfe tí Peteru ní sí i, kìí ṣe àwọn ọgbon ìdarí rẹ̀ (wo Johannu 21:15-17). Awọn oluso-aguntan ni ẹbun, awọn aṣaaju ti a fun ni aṣẹ ni ijọsin Jesu. Nítorí náà a pè won láti darí àwọn ènìyan sí ìgbàgbo nínú Krístì, àti nígbà náà ní ìdàgbasoke nínú ìgbàgbo yio waye. Ati pe ọkan ti idagbasoke túmo si titẹle Kristi. Ko si ona ti o dara ju lati dari fun Kristi ju lati tele takuntakun.
BIBELI KIKA: 1 Àwọn Ọba 19:19-21
ADURA: Bàbá, ní àkókò yìí, di ọkàn wa mú kí a lè fi tinútinú àti òtíto tẹ̀lé Jésù. Ní orúkọ rẹ̀ ni a ń retí, a sì ń gbàdúrà. Amin.