Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.
- Nehemiah 3:1

What are priests supposed to do? Look throughout the Old Testament and you won’t find construction and renovation on any of the descriptions of the regular duties of the priesthood. But here in today’s passage you see Eliashib and his fellow priests rolling up their sleeves and joining the rebuilding project.

In God’s great work no one will find themselves exempt from dirty work because of their high and lofty spiritual status. The priests worked on the gates and wall. Jesus washed feet. The true character of Christian leadership is put on display whenever dirty work needs to be done.

You have a right to expect pastors, elders, deacons, small group leaders, ministry leaders, and anyone with any spiritual leadership to get their hands dirty.

And, even if you don’t serve in formal ministry leadership, if you look carefully, you will find places in your own life where the Lord has invested you with meaningful spiritual authority. You may be in a secular workplace or in a family situation where people look to you whenever God-talk starts up. You may have a child that you’re parenting, teaching, or mentoring. You may have a friend who has entrusted you with the right to speak into his or her life in Jesus’ name.

Don’t miss this: there is an intimate connection between your willingness to get your hands dirty and your ability to bless people. Serving is not a means to an end. Those who carry authority never leave serving behind. You can’t exercise authority without serving.

Where in your experience have you seen someone with spiritual authority getting their hands dirty? How did that affect your willingness to receive spiritual truth and care from them?