“The Trouble with Kings, Part 1: The Call of Saul” by the Rev. Dr. Don Wahlig, June 9, 2024, Year B / Pentecost 3 – 1 Samuel 8:1-9, 10:17-24, 11:14-15  • Psalm 138 • 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 • Mark 3:20-35

THEME:  Follow Christ’s example of servant leadership by striving to be faithful, humble and courageous in doing God’s will.

Like many of you, I have become fascinated with the British monarchy.  It is a magnificent, sometimes maddening, but always colorful institution.  Its roots go back more than a millennium.  When you look back at British history, it is customary to use the long line of Kings and Queens as road markers for the various epochs of Britain’s past.  Lately, I’ve begun to wonder how it began. How did the British monarchy come to be?  Historians think that the first King of Britain was crowned in the early 10^th century. There are other legends, however. One of the most popular is the legend of King Arthur, who formed the Knights of the Round Table and united the people of Britain. It’s a myth, but it’s a good one.

However it started, the history of the British monarchy is a story of the good, the bad and the ugly. The good were very good – Elizabeth I, Victoria, and Elizabeth II, for example. And the bad were very bad, indeed – George III, for example, who caused the American colonies to rebel. In truth, often the very same monarch was good, bad and ugly at various times. Henry VIII anyone? All of them claimed to rule by divine right, but we can be sure that, being human, neither God nor their subjects was ever entirely pleased with their rule. Whoever it was who wrote the Books of Samuel and Kings no doubt came to that very same conclusion. 

Today, we begin a 4-part sermon series called The Trouble with Kings. Over the next four weeks we will explore how Israel’s first and most prominent kings came to power, how they ruled, and how God judged their rule.  Along the way, we will learn some lessons that will guide us as we choose our leaders in this election year. We start with the story of how Israel’s monarchy began.  You will remember that, after Moses died within sight of the Promised Land, Joshua led Israel to take possession of it.  Under Joshua’s leadership, all 12 tribes pledged to be faithful to God and to obey the commands of his covenant. 

Then, after Joshua died, a series of Judges ruled over the twelve tribes. Judges were meant to help Israel live up to the covenant, but they failed miserably.  As a result, God punished the people severely. It was a time of anarchy, corruption, and moral chaos. For the people, it was proof of Israel’s desperate need for wise, faithful leadership.  The people think the answer is to have a king, like other nations. So, they come to Samuel, who is both judge and prophet. Samuel warns them that a king will make costly and onerous demands.  The real issue here is who do the people ultimately trust? By demanding a king to rule over them they are rejecting God, who is their rightful ruler. If they refuse to trust in God above all else, then they will suffer painful consequences. But the people are adamant. They want a king. So, God decides to let them have their way.

God chooses Saul.  Saul is from the tribe of Benjamin, a small tribe known for warriors. He looks like a strong leader. He is tall and good-looking, maybe the most handsome man in all Israel. But even before he is crowned, there are already hints that his reign may not be entirely successful. When it comes time for his coronation, Saul is found hiding among the baggage. Does he even want to be king? But the people do not care. They acclaim Saul King and rejoice with gusto.  And here is a spoiler alert for next week’s sermon: Saul turns out to be a flawed king.  His reign ends badly, for him and for Israel. God’s appointment of Saul as king raises a question. What makes good government? Is it popular mandate?  Sound policies? Honest and effective administration? Sure. All those things. But there is something even more important than these. That something is good leadership.

So, then, what makes a good leader? That question has been asked for as long as humanity has organized itself into communities. There are probably as many styles of leadership as there are leaders. But there is more to a good leader than style. There has to be substance. That substance we call character. In the Bible, character is expressed in faithfulness, humility, and courage.  For those who wrote the story of Saul, the leader who best exemplified those characteristics was Joshua. Joshua picked up where Moses left off.  He completed the mission that Moses started.  As he did, he showed himself to be the quintessential servant of the Lord. Joshua sought God’s will constantly.  Then, he had the courage and discipline to do it. When he and the other spies came back from scouting out the Promised Land, the other spies lost courage and tried to discourage the people from entering.  But Joshua stood firm, knowing that possessing the land was God’s will. He urged them to trust God and move forward. So, they did.

When his leadership led to success, as it often did, it never went to his head. Instead, he always gave the credit to God, and he encouraged others to do the same.  In all of scripture, there is only one other leader whose example of faithfulness, humility, and courage exceeds that of Joshua. That leader is Jesus Christ.  Jesus did not do anything without consulting God. He was always going off to pray to better understand God’s will.  As far as humility, he may have been God in the flesh, but his leadership always started with love and compassion for others, especially the least and the lost. 

And there is no greater example of courage than his willingness to follow God’s will in giving up his life on the cross to make true life possible for others. Jesus is the very definition of a servant leader.  But that was 2,000 years ago. What about more recent times? The skeptics among us will say, “Surely, there are no leaders among us today who are like Jesus.”  But let’s ask the question anyway. Is there anyone we can point to in public life of more recent times who follows Jesus’ example of servant leadership?  There is at least one. Abraham Lincoln. I offer you three of his most famous quotes to illustrate that. As far as faithfulness, Lincoln said: “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side.” As far as humility, Lincoln said, “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.” As far as courage, he said: “Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.”

These come from a man who would surely have been better off personally and politically, letting the southern states leave with their system of slavery intact.  Further, he not only readily admitted his own mistakes, but he routinely took responsibility for his subordinates' failures. And when they succeeded, he praised them as if the success was theirs and theirs alone.  Instead of denigrating his opponents, he made it a point to understand their views. He even went so far as a to include his opponents in his cabinet.  OK, that was then. But what about today? Are there figures in contemporary public life whom you and I would call servant leaders?

I am sure we have a variety of views on contemporary politicians and leaders at all levels. We may not agree in our opinions of their leadership, but we certainly can agree on what the measuring stick should be. Are they faithful in listening to God’s will? How do we know? What do their actions tells us? Are they humble – humble enough to give credit to others in times of success, and take the blame when things go wrong? Are they not only open to the opinions of their opponents, but are they willing to work with them for the betterment of all? Finally, do they have the courage to follow what God tells them to do, even when it is not popular? When it would be far easier and more personally advantageous not to do it? And that begs the really important question. What about us? Friends, you and I are Christian leaders, too. Whether we know it or not, people are looking at us to see if we are the kind of Christians they would want to follow. 

In just a few moments, we will install a new class of Christian leaders, Elders and Deacons who will lead the SSPC faith family in being that grace-filled family of faith sharing Christ’s love with all. God has called them to be servant leaders. The question is will we follow their example?

May it be so.