Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7-8 NIV
Do you remember the children’s game Follow the Leader? One child is chosen to be the leader. The rest of the children line up behind the leader. The leader then moves around, performing various actions and movements. The other players must mimic the leader’s actions. For example, if the leader runs, everyone else runs; if the leader does jumping jacks, everyone else does too. Anyone who fails to copy a movement successfully is out of the game. The last child, still following at the end, becomes the leader for the next round.
At the close of this letter, the author offers practical instructions for Christian living. Among those exhortations is a call to remember their leaders who faithfully taught God’s word and to imitate their faith. While mortal leaders, even godly ones, are not perfect—they are as human and fallible as everyone else—we can learn from how they recover from those momentary lapses. It’s not about falling; it's about getting up.
But there is one leader whose behavior is unchanging: Jesus Christ. While Jesus is not in plain view, he is ever-present. He remains unchanged because He is one with God the Father and Holy Spirit, whose story of compassion and grace for humankind has remained consistent; when our love for him failed, his love remained unchanged.
In the game, the leader sets an example for others to follow. Similarly, our spiritual leaders exemplify faith and godly living. Jesus is the ultimate Leader we follow. His life, teachings, and sacrificial love serve as our model. As earthly children imitate the leader’s actions, we, as God's children, imitate Jesus’ faith by following His teachings and example.
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the faithful leaders You have placed in our lives. We remember those who have tirelessly taught us Your truth—the pastors, teachers, mentors, and elders. May we consider the outcome of their way of life—their unwavering commitment, sacrificial love, and steadfast faith. Help us learn from their examples. Lord, grant us the grace to imitate their faith. May we walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us, trusting You wholeheartedly.
Precious Savior, You are our unchanging Rock—the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. In a world of shifting sands, You remain constant. We find comfort in Your eternal nature:
Yesterday: You were there at creation; the Word made flesh.
Today: You walk with us, interceding for us before the Father.
Forever: Your promises endure, and Your love knows no bounds.
Lord Jesus, help us trust You in every season, knowing that You are the same—faithful, loving, and true. Help us follow Your example as children follow the leader in their games. May we imitate Your humility, compassion, and obedience.
In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
