7 Browley Street, Moss Vale NSW 10am Sunday Worship Service
Over ten years, Australia has had seven prime ministers. ‘Madness’ said Malcolm Turnbull, the last prime minister to ‘get rolled’. Meanwhile, the media in other countries are describing us as the ‘coup capital of the world’. Here in Australia, voters are wondering exactly who and what they voted for.
The problem with changing leaders so often is that it’s hard for Prime Ministers and governments to implement a long-term vision. It takes time to build trust and relationships. It takes time to develop big ideas and work through obstacles to achieve them. But if leaders are being ‘rolled’ on a regular basis then the general public are entitled to think none of those good things are happening.
Although we Australians feel a little embarrassed about our leadership changes, it’s worth noting that political instability is commonplace in every country. And it’s always for the same reasons. We have a revolving door of Prime Ministers because political parties and the wider general public can’t agree about what the future should look like. Add jealous, personal rivalries and prejudice and you get instability.
But the Bible speaks about a leader whose vision stretches beyond the borders of this country into all of eternity. It speaks about a government where everyone who belongs will be happy and united – including people from all races and tribes.
That leader is Jesus. Here is how two of God’s prophets writing thousands of years ago described his rule. Isaiah said,
“… the government shall be upon his shoulder … of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
While the prophet Daniel spoke not just of an endless rule, but of a safe place open to every people group,
“And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14)
If you’re cynical and jaded about leaders then Jesus is a reason to start believing again. If politics have discouraged you then know that Jesus won’t let you down. He’s the true King, the real deal, a leader you can genuinely trust and be excited about!
Ian Brunton