Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matt. 10:24).
Applying the principle to a different setting, we may say, “A congregation cannot rise above the leadership.” Elderships often change. Because of deaths or new appointments, there are
changes in persons and personnel. With them, the character of the leadership may change.
When that is not for the better, what should one do?
Jeremiah had been the prophet in Judah for five years when young King Josiah affected
great reforms. But thirteen years later, Pharaoh Neco’s archers killed Josiah on the battlefield.
After a reign of only three months, Josiah’s wicked son, Jehoahaz was removed by Neco, and
his brother, Eliakim (aka Jehoiakim) was made king in his stead. Yes, the very Jehoiakim who
sliced and burned the word of God that was dictated to Baruch by Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 36).
Needless to say, Jeremiah’s leadership changed in character and not for the better.
What did Jeremiah do? He preached what God told him to preach. Even though the
people would not listen, he persisted. Even though he was persecuted and hurt, he persisted.
He endured because God had said, “whatever I command you, you shall speak” (Jer. 1:7) and
because of a pure, sincere, loving, caring, and compassionate heart. Jeremiah loved the people
and wanted them delivered.
Regardless of what happens around us, we must speak the truth, especially the truth of God’s
word. “Preach the word,” Paul told Timothy. “Be ready in season and out of season; reprove,
rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). Moreover, “speaking the
truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Eph. 4:15).