2:28 – I Am Responsible. I Take The Blame

#faithbites #faithjourney Blame

When I turn on the news, read a story, or listen to people complaining, it is usually someone blaming someone else. Most are not taking responsibility for they do.

At our Voter’s meeting a couple of days ago, I saw a true leader in action. He stood up and said he was responsible for a decision that was made. It happened on his watch and no matter who was involved in it, it ends with him. I have always admired that leader and this just solidified it for me.

When things go well, a good leader should give the credit to his or her team members. When things go poorly, that leader should take the blame. A former supervisor used to say that he was the hood ornament on our car and he would take the hit first and protect us.

Jesus was that type of leader.

Scripture

• He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. ” – 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)
• In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, – Ephesians 1:7
• Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— Galatians 3:13

Reflection

Christ was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was a leader among the people of the land. (Hebrews 13:7). His followers sinned daily and he forgave them. He died on the cross to take our sins and reconnect us with God. What a powerful gift that is.

Our human leaders are broken and sinful like us. They are far from perfect. The best ones acknowledge their brokenness and take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their people. When this leader stood up in front of the congregation and took the blame for the action, that was amazing. (For full disclosure, the decision that he was taking the blame for wasn’t a bad decision by most accounts. Some disagreed with it).

We should look to leaders like this who exemplify what Christ did when he died upon the cross. They give the credit to others, Jesus gave all the credit to his Father, and they take the blame when their flock or followers fall.

Charge

Are you a formal or informal leader? When your followers make a mistake, do you take the blame for it? Do you show a unified team? When the team succeeds, do you give the credit to them? (Note this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk in private to someone if they made a mistake. This is outward facing). Take a deep look at how you respond to situations like this. Be a leader like Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father. You have blessed me with being a leader both formally and informally. Help all of us who are leaders to be a leader like Christ. Let us take the blame for failings or bad decisions our team has made. Let us be like Christ and share the accomplishments by giving credit to our team. Remind us to be strong, humble leaders in your sight. In your Holy name, Amen.