The Three Musketeers. A novel filled with love, intrigue, betrayal, sword fights, espionage, and great ambitions. What more could one all for. And we thought our current politics was brutal. It’s been awhile since politicians settled conflict by duel (think Hamilton, people.)
There is a scene in one of the theatrical versions where they are riding through the countryside to gather the Musketeer forces to assemble. A plot is afoot to kill the King and they must assemble to save him. The simple call is issued by a hand written note that is shot into the villages by arrow – “All for one and one for all.”
This call to arms brings out scores of Musketeers – all working with one mind – serve the king, save the king, stand together as one.
For the next few days, I want you to keep that thought in mind – but not for serving the king of France or any government, but in serving the King of Kings – Jesus and His church.
In Nehemiah 3, the call has been issued. A vision was shared of bringing glory back to the city, of making Jerusalem a place of honor again, and reviving the people of God to be a people that bless others and point them to God. And though this call was for the people to rise and build a wall, the call still rings out to us …
We are to be a people that God uses to bless others and point them to Christ. We serve the King and we serve together!
This chapter in Nehemiah is about people working together, about us rising together to build, about serving side by side with one mind for a good work.
We are going to see at least ten lessons, ten principles gleaned from those involved in this work, a work which they set their mind to.
The first lesson, from the first verse, is that leadership sets the example.
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.
No one is above the work. Here he is, the high priest … respected, trained for the position, a sacred position … but not above taking up a shovel and hammer to get the work done.
I used to joke that as a pastor, God didn’t call me to blue color work. I’d much rather read, study, teach, preach. But I learned better. True, I am mechanically challenged, but I know I’m not too good to roll up my sleeves and set the example.
You also need to know you can set the example wherever you are. Parent? Set the example to your kids. Office work? Set the example to those around you. You may not be the leader on paper, but you can lead by example.
So all for one and one for all … from the top on down, we all build this wall.
Will you set the example and show others … we all can and should be doing the work of serving Jesus, together?
I want to thank Steve Davey and his work that challenges us to how we see Nehemiah 3, Nehemiah: Memoirs of an Ordinary Man.
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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