Standing Between the Dead and the Living

[S] Numbers 16:47-48 --
⁴⁷Then Aaron took it as Moses had spoken, and ran into the midst of the assembly, for behold, the plague had begun among the people. So he put on the incense and made atonement for the people.
⁴⁸He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked.

[O] After a series of grumbling and complaining against Moses (starting with Korah), the whole congregation approached Moses and Aaron to blame them for putting all of them in such a situation. God was not happy with them and asked Moses and Aaron to step aside while He wipes them off the face of the earth. For the third time straight, Moses and Aaron falls to their faces and intercedes to God for the people. I don't know if I can do that, let alone three times in a row. Then even before God's wrath is released on the people, Moses acts quickly and tells Aaron to offer the incense/atonement for the people. What's amazing is how quickly and sacrificially both of the leaders responded to save the people. The phrase in verse 48, "stand between the dead and the living" really grabbed my heart as I was reading it. Is this what a godly leader's role is -- to stand between the dead and the living risking my own life trusting in God based on a firm relationship through Jesus Christ? Wow! The only hope in this picture is "so that the plague was checked." God honors such a servant leadership even to the point of saving lives (and in my limited perspective, changing His mind in this situation).

[A] Spiritual leadership is based on the servanthood of taking of lives of the followers. Humility and willing sacrifice seems to be requirements. Need ask God for strength to carry out such a leadership in the small group ministry on daily basis.

[P] God, You never meant a true leadership of Your people to be a "walk in the park" but is only possible through humble commitment to be fully responsible for Your people's lives (both spiritual and physical). It's a quite scary proposition but You've drawn me in to taking such a role and with trembling I come to You. Continue to pour into my heart Your own heart of sacrificial love for Your people. In Jesus' name. Amen.