On Leaders and Servants

I have been thinking about the official responses to the Flint water crisis as our politicians weigh in or ignore the folk in Flint.  Their health has been endangered.  Their children may face lifelong difficulty because the tap water hurt them.  Property values are probably near zero.  My goodness, my goodness.
By chapter 25 of the book of Exodus, all the action of rescuing from Egypt, getting the 10 words on Sinai, and confirming the covenant is over.  Now comes a commandment from God to build a tabernacle and a very detailed set of instructions about what that tabernacle is to look like, what the accoutrements of worship are to look like, and what the priestly garb is to look like.  Following that comes a retelling of the detailed instructions as the craftsmen and craftswomen actually build the tabernacle, the accoutrements of worship, and the priestly garb.  After the action of seas parting and Shekinah descending on mountains, golden calves and smashed tablets, well its a little boring.
Buried in that description is the following phrase, " . . .and I will dwell among them."  All that detail, Well the God of heaven and earth, the God of redemption from slavery, wants a place to live not up on Olympus, but "among them."
John begins his Gospel of Jesus by couching Jesus' coming in even more startling terms, "And the Word became Flesh and dwelt (tabernacled!) among us."  The God who rescues slaves and raises the dead and forgives folks who don't acknowledge it when it happens, that God now comes and dwells in a body just like mine.  Paul says that Jesus gave up the heavens to "empty" himself and become one with us.  Jesus presses his followers to empty themselves as he has done--thus the washing of feet, reaching out to the lame, the blind, the hungry, the suffering.
All these images of intimate sharing between Creator and creature I've strung together a bit too quickly here stand in sharp contrast to the politicians of our day. Has Governor Snyder said, "I am responsible for this mess.  These were my employees.  I will move to Flint and 'dwell' there until it's resolved."  Did Sanders or Clinton make that kind of suggestion?  Micheal Moore?  The churches?  Anybody?
 " . . .and I will dwell among them."