Leading
Leading
LEADING.Lead is used in the Gospels in its ordinary senses: intransitively in the description of the ways that lead to life or destruction (Mat 7:13-14), and transitively often. The OT metaphor of Jehovah as a Shepherd leading His people like a flock (Psa 23:1; Psa 80:1) is repeated in the parables representing Christ as a Shepherd whose sheep recognize and obey Him (Joh 10:3-4; Joh 10:27). The general conception of Gods leading His people, so frequent in the Psalms and in Deutero-Isaiah and elsewhere, is assumed in the petition Lead us not into temptation (Mat 6:13, Luk 11:4); for the true life is along a right path wherein God leads His children.
The leadership of religious authorities is referred to in the description of scribes and Pharisees as blind guides or blind leaders of the blind (Mat 23:16; Mat 15:14); the metaphor being based on the sight, familiar in Eastern cities, of rows or files of blind persons each holding by the one in front. But, as this saying is placed by St. Luke (Luk 6:39) in immediate connexion with the appointment of the Twelve, it may be presumed that Jesus pressed on His disciples the necessity of their recognizing and qualifying for the duties of true leadership. They are required to have light and to let it shine, to be, in short, men of light and leading.
The position of Jesus as a Leader is most frequently expressed in terms of following. The imperative Follow me is addressed to individuals, as Peter and Andrew, James and John (Mat 4:19; Mat 4:21), Matthew (Mat 9:9), and Philip (Joh 1:43); and to unnamed disciples or listeners (Mat 8:22; Mat 19:21). It is repeated in the fundamental law of the Kingdom, where self-denial or cross-bearing is enjoined (Mat 16:24, Mar 8:34, Luk 9:23, Joh 12:25); but here the reference is to Jesus as a supreme example rather than a present guide, and the instruction is primarily spiritual. It may be said that during His whole public ministry Jesus was leading and training disciples to carry on His work; while the risen Christ is the Head of the Church and the Leader of the Christian army (Mat 28:18-20).
Four times the term Leader () is applied to Christ: in the Authorized and Revised Versions phrases Prince of life, Prince, Captain (Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 Author) of salvation, Author of faith (Act 3:15; Act 5:31, Heb 2:10; Heb 12:2); and a similar meaning is expressed by , Forerunner (Heb 6:20). In these passages the leadership is through death from life on earth to life in heaven.
Literature.II. Bushnell, The New Life, p. 74; Phillips Brooks, Mystery of Iniquity, p. 171; B. B. Warfield, Power of God unto Salvation, p. 151.
R. Scott.