Day 72

Numbers 27-28 | John 8:39-59

They claimed Abraham as their father.

They had the lineage. The bloodline. The history.

But Jesus wasn’t impressed.

“If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did.” (John 8:39)

Instead, they were plotting murder. Scheming against the very One whom Abraham had longed to see.

And Jesus makes it plain:

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.” (John 8:44)

A brutal statement. A line drawn in the sand.

Because Jesus wasn’t just challenging their ancestry—He was challenging their identity.

A Name Means Nothing Without the Life to Match

The Jews took pride in being Abraham’s descendants. But their actions proved otherwise.

And it’s the same today.

Plenty of people claim faith.

We wear the label. We call ourselves Christians. We check the right boxes.

But Jesus makes it clear: It’s not about what we say—it’s about who we follow.

Because who you follow determines who you truly belong to.

And who you belong to determines how you lead.

Moses Handed Off Leadership. Jesus Never Did.

Numbers 27 tells the moment when Moses’ leadership comes to an end.

After decades of leading Israel—through plagues, miracles, rebellions, and wilderness wanderings—God tells him:

“You shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there.” (Numbers 27:12)

And Moses doesn’t argue. He doesn’t fight. He doesn’t try to hold onto power.

He just asks for one thing:

“Let the Lord… appoint a man over the congregation… so that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:16-17)

That’s leadership.

He doesn’t make it about himself. He makes it about the people.

Because Moses was never leading for his own sake—he was leading them to Someone greater.

And then, fifteen hundred years later, that Shepherd stood in their midst.

But they rejected Him.

The Leadership Test: Who Do You Follow?

I’ve seen this kind of leadership firsthand.

My boss Bob is losing his job too as a result of my company’s acquisition. He has no future with the new company. And yet, he has made this entire transition about everyone else—about those of us who report to him.

Me at the top of that list as his number two.

Every opportunity he has, he’s using to position us for success, to advocate for our future. He’s singing our praises, boasting of our talent to anyone who will listen, even though he knows he likely will never have a place in the company himself.

That’s leadership. That’s humility. That’s someone who understands that leadership isn’t about clinging to power. It’s about using whatever influence you have to serve others.

And Jesus did that perfectly.

He didn’t come to build an earthly empire.

He didn’t climb the ranks. He didn’t fight for a title. He didn’t seek the approval of men.

He just did the will of the Father.

“I do nothing on My own authority, but speak just as the Father taught Me.” (John 8:28)

That’s the test of true leadership.

Not who listens to you.

Not how many follow you.

Not what title you hold.

But who you follow.

And Jesus makes it clear:

If we follow the world’s ways, we belong to the world.

If we follow our own desires, we serve ourselves.

If we follow Him, we belong to the Father.

That’s the line in the sand.

Passing the Mantle, Holding the Throne

Moses handed off leadership. He passed the baton to Joshua. Because his leadership, as great as it was, had an expiration date.

But Jesus?

He never handed off His throne.

Because He’s still leading.

Still reigning.

Still the Good Shepherd.

Still calling us to follow.

And the question isn’t what title do we hold?

The question is whose voice are we listening to?

Whose Leadership Am I Following?

The Pharisees refused to follow Jesus because it meant giving up control.

And that’s still the battle today.

Will we surrender our will for His?

Will we submit our leadership to His Lordship?

Will we recognize that being called “Christian” means nothing if we aren’t actually following Christ?

Jesus’ words in John 8 were meant to expose their hearts.

And maybe they expose mine too.

Because leadership isn’t about status. It’s about submission.

Faith isn’t about knowing the right answers. It’s about knowing the right Shepherd.

And being a child of God isn’t about what I call myself. It’s about who I follow.

Lord, I don’t want to lead on my own terms. I don’t want to live on my own authority. You are the Good Shepherd. Help me to follow—fully, completely, and without hesitation. Amen.