People Power
People Power may emerge as a rebellion against established leadership but also usually has to have its own leader. Zechariah sees that as his role. Put yourself in Zechariah’s position. Reflect on the different ‘worlds’ which come to mind as you reflect on your own experience over the last ten days. Try to enter into the Zechariah’s community. Choose one situation in your own experience, preferably small, local and manageable, where you sensed even the vaguest possibility of people power asserting itself. You are Zechariah. What might you say or do?
Your heart bleeds for the way in which your family, friends or colleagues have been victims of bad leadership (false shepherds). Instead of complaining you hear the call to assume the role of shepherd. No point in becoming one of the ruling shepherds. That would be joining the Club to influence the Club, like joining a committee to take part in what the committee is manifestly failing to do. People Power requires ‘something different’, operating in a totally different way. Look carefully at what Zechariah does.
First, he makes a break with past and present leadership. His staff (Favour) is an image of caring, and breaking it an expression of his feelings about the shepherds and their caring methods. His opponents get the message (v 11). But what is he offering?
Second, he has the courage to claim that some things need to die and some things need positively to be destroyed, but since he does not specify exactly which are which, try filing in the details from your own experience.
Third, unlike the leaders he rejects, as little better than hirelings, he is prepared to accept personal and total responsibility for those most needing his care and protection.
Fourth, he now fractures his second staff to make the break with the past final. What he has done others must do and he must rely on his own personal example and commitment to give them the inspiration they need. They are to be shepherds to one another. This is what holds the flock together, the ‘something different’ that was so badly needed.