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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “who are you, behind the scenes?” The theme is a question that invites us to reflect on our true character in relation to God’s expectation of us. In other words, we are being invited to show our true colours. Jesus shares a parable of a servant who had been made a supervisor or a manager of the master’s house. The purpose of this parable is to teach us about being watchful by remaining faithful regardless of the time or situation because we do not know the time of His second coming and judgment. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51). There are two important lessons this scripture teaches us.

First, who are you, behind the scenes as a leader? There are many people who desire to be leaders both in the Church and in the political sphere but have ulterior motives. Their true colours, characters or identity are hidden until the mantle of power is handed over to them. Just like the servant in today’s scripture reading (Matthew 24:45-51), many are those who appear innocent, and calm and appear to love people only for them to turn against the very people they have been appointed, elected or ordained to serve. Jesus warns us to be watchful because “They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matthew 7:15). One of Africa’s biggest challenges or woes is the lack of empathetic servant-leaders. During political campaigns, some politicians who seek political positions in government come to the people to convince and solicit their votes but once they are elected to occupy those high positions, they turn against the very people who put them there by abusing them with the power given them and mismanaging their resources. Similarly, there are many who desire to become church leaders such as pastors, and elders and to occupy other ecclesiastical positions, once they are given the privilege their character is no longer that of love, humility and service. Some Churches are facing leadership crises because they lack servant-leaders. Some church leaders, are insensitive to the needs of their congregants and are always interested in their personal gains rather than being caring shepherds. Beloved in the Lord, are you a servant-leader, regardless of wherever you are positioned? Who are you, behind the scenes? If leadership is not about service, care and love for others, Jesus would not have asked Peter three times to “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17) Leadership is a privilege to serve but comes with great responsibility and accountability. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12:48) It is for this reason, our true colours, identity or character behind the scene must continue to be love for those we are required to serve, integrity, humility and faithfulness to the Lord at all times. Let us remember that “The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. (Matthew 24:50)

Second, who are you, behind the scene as a believer or Christian? We are admonished to eschew hypocrisy as believers. We should remain faithful to the Lord at all times, especially in situations where we feel those who know us are not around or watching us. There is so much rot and corruption in Africa because most Christians in civil service and private sector employment are mere church attendees. We are saints on only Sundays, but from Monday to Saturday, most of us are corrupt, wicked, dishonest in our dealings with our fellow human beings and unfaithful to God. Jesus’ biggest issue with the Scribes and Pharisees is not the fact that they were religious but it has to do with who they were behind the scene. It is for this reason, He said to them “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside, you appear to people as righteous but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness…You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?” (Matthew 23:27-28, 33). One can be like a chameleon before others but no one can hide his or her true identity or character from God because Jesus revealed to us that “your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6). Dear friend, who are you, behind the scene a believer who is a wife, husband or child? Who are you, behind the scene as a Christain professional or a worker in the occupation you find yourself in? Remember “The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:50-51)

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to remain consistent in our service to God. Help us to follow the perfect example of Christ in maintaining our true colours of humility, love and faithfulness regardless of the situation we find ourselves in as servant-leaders and disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.