Dynamic speakers and charismatic leaders have a way of capturing our attention. The Lord raises someone up to be the focal point of an exciting event, and the people respond by placing great importance on their words and deeds. Rarely is this attention truly warranted, for what has happened is that the people have forgotten the first half of the previous sentence: "The Lord raises someone up..."
The ancient Israelites had this same habit, proving that mankind really hasn't changed much over the course of history. After 400 years of slavery, the Lord raised up an old sheep-herder to lead His people to freedom. After witnessing one supernatural wonder after another, the people came to reverence and respect Moses instead of the One who truly accomplished those feats.
Acts 7:39b-40
And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' (NKJV)
The people made a conscience decision to believe that Moses was the one with miraculous power. As a consequence, they could not accept that the LORD had not left them, nor could they accept that it was the LORD who had brought about their victory over Egypt.
We know the rest of the story... that the Israelites fashioned a golden calf, started a "worship service" - complete with drinking and lasciviousness - and subsequently experienced a little taste of Almighty God's righteous wrath.
For our part, we're quite confident that such a thing could never happen in our Christian walk. But should we be? How often do we make a special effort to please or impress the pastor? How many of us take great pride in being friends or family with the preacher? Why do we get such satisfaction and gratification over our association with one who simply more well-known than a brother or sister that is sitting right beside us?
Remember, dear friends, that Christ did not tell us that whatsoever you do the greatest of these... He told us to focus our attention on the least of our brethren. To focus on a man's greatness or position is to worship the man. Instead, we must worship the One who created the man and who lifted that man to his current place... the One who saved that sinner.
Be encouraged, Jose
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