Tag: power

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Celebrate Belonging.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus followers get back together after being sent out to do exactly what Jesus had been doing – heal the sick, kick out demons, and declare the Kingdom of God. In this debrief, the disciples were ecstatic to discover that demons obeyed them… when they used Jesus name. This idea of accessible power through Jesus to deal with spiritual powers that ensnared and terrified humans, seriously impressed them. And, why wouldn’t it! The crazy discovery that all those amazing supernatural moments Jesus displayed power over elements (water to wine), over sickness, over nature (wind & waves), as well as demons would be available to them simply through faith and declaration of Jesus’ true nature of being God. It had them buzzing with excitement. Look what we can do, Jesus. But Jesus doesn’t allow them to focus nor celebrate for long.

Jesus says something so profound, so chilling that we still have a hard time understanding and processing what he said. “Be excited because your names made the list!” Have you ever made a reservation at your favorite restaurant, the kind that needs a reservation to eat there? Oftentimes, I use OpenTable because it’s quick and easy – plus, it reminds me of the time and place, putting it all in my digital calendar. Okay, it makes me feel smart and efficient – neither of which are my best attributes 🤭. When we arrive, they ask you… do you have a reservation? I would feel uneasy in the moment, if I had not followed the social rules of understanding what their posh services offered. I say “yes,” and give them my name. They look over their list, find my name, and look up. Their face lights up with a smile that says – welcome, you belong here. I’ve seen shows or movies that take it even further. If someone’s Father is a regular, a patron of the place, it’s even more bougie! Each server on duty is trained to know who their son or daughter is upon walking in the door. The perks are all setup to welcome them with an automatic reservation at their favorite table.

The point is this; which is better, bossing around a low-life, rebellious demon, heading to Gehenna, who cares nothing for you? Or Jesus greeting you at the gates of heaven with a hug and a huge smile, saying “welcome, we’ve been waiting for you!” Would I swap out my position of belonging to Jesus, belonging in heaven, for a few lousy moments of power over some pathetic creature whose only passion is torturing defenseless human souls? The evil spirits are forced to come under the authority of Jesus. We, as adopted sons and daughters, are given rights, position and even power because we are Gods – we belong to Him. Jesus is right, it is so much better to celebrate that belonging in comparison to making demons scurry back to their defeated master.

Prayer

​Dad,
Belonging to you as a son is far better than bossing demons around! I’ve seen the arrogance that comes with those who become good at casting out demons. It did something to them, when they became comfortable exercising that authority given by you. I would not want to get used to that kind of power. I’ll take the power of belonging over excising demons every time! Thank you for my name being written in Your book. Thank you for knowing who has rescued me, redeemed me and adopted me into the Kingdom.

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Reaching for position and power.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭46‬-‭48‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus’ closest friends, his disciples, his future Apostles had not only seen all the miracles, they had personally experienced supernatural miracles. Yet, something happened that took them back to a familiar battle of disordered desires of comparison. Like some childish playground rules as old as the first two brothers (Cain & Abel)… they asked – who is better? Who is greater? Jesus, who not only possessed all power and authority over all things, but actively displayed this power over demons, sickness, wind, wave and even death itself, had to deal with this head on.

When the disciples started arguing about position and greatness, they mistakenly believed their affiliation and proximity to Jesus to be an entitled promotion to power. But Jesus doesn’t see position or power the way they saw it. In a very Jesus-style moment, he reaches for someone to make the point.

He brings a little child close to him, inviting the child to help him create an object lesson for the grownup adults. Jesus says, “Anyone who welcomes (receives) a little one like this, on my behalf welcomes me.” And further, it makes sense that when you receive a little one, you receive me, thus you receive God himself! Jesus isn’t talking about salvation, he’s talking about our status, our social standing, our positions of authority and power!

When the disciples were arguing about greatness and comparing themselves to each other, Jesus was getting them to reframe the picture. Don’t reach for others of whom you consider to be equal to or better than for comparison. No, reach for innocence, openness, curiosity, wonder and humility. Like a little child!

When the Pharisees reached for position or power they reached for status, strict rules, and even a rock to throw at someone clearly worthless to them. When the disciples started arguing, they reached for position as well! Peter, reaching for power in the garden, grabbed a sword and whacked off a temple guard’s ear. Notice the things Jesus reached for. Having every right to high position and authority, Jesus reached for a little child. Having all power over all things, Jesus reached for a towel to serve, washing his own disciples feet, possibly even his own betrayer, Judas! Jesus did not reach up for position or power, he reached down to serve and love. Ultimately, Jesus reached for the cross that became power over his own death. And rising from the dead, he gave us the power of his resurrection. We will never be more prominent than the moment we anonymously step into serving someone seemingly invisible. We will never be more powerful than the moment we leverage our strength to lift or shield the weak. In the opposite, right side up, Kingdom of God, being least is being the greatest.

Prayer

​Dad,
The power and position dynamics of this world is VERY different than your Kingdom! Comparing ourselves to anything other than you and maybe the innocence of a child will always lead to grief or grudges. Help me to always reach down or over to properly remove any disordered desire of arrogance or pride. I am only what I am because of your grace and mercy.

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Only God can win for us.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us. O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭44‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The descendants of Korah writes this Psalm, so who is Korah? Korah is a significant figure in the Bible, particularly known for his rebellion against Moses during the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness. He was a Levite, specifically the son of Izhar and a cousin to Moses and Aaron. His lineage is traced back to Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob.

However, Korah led a revolt against Moses, questioning why Moses and Aaron held positions of authority. He gathered 250 prominent leaders to challenge their leadership. This rebellion is detailed in Numbers 16, where God punished Korah and his followers by causing the ground to open and swallow them, while fire consumed the 250 men who offered incense.

Despite Korah’s fate, his sons survived the rebellion. They are known as the “Sons of Korah” and are credited with writing several Psalms, including this Psalm. Maybe the story of Korah’s sons rising out of their father’s rebellion is just as important as the Psalms they contributed to.

This Psalm was written about a massive dust up between the blasphemous message of Rabshekeh given to king Hezekiah. So Hezekiah went to Isaiah, who in turn prophesied against the kings of Assyria. In all of the arrogance and bravado of the Assyrian kings, Isaiah declares that no one mocks God and gets away with it. Korah’s sons capture the moment by declaring that God and God alone will fight against the enemies of Israel – not its king, not its might nor weaponry!

It’s still very much like that today even though the wars and warlords look very different today. God is still our refuge and our redeemer when it comes to global events that we have no control over. It should be a constant reminder in our own battles, that it is not our leaders nor our military might that we find our confidence- it is still in God!

Prayer

​Dad,
The story thread continues all through the Old Testament, You give, we falter. You forgive, we forget. My life is but a short puff of smoke, but wow – the human saga is so very long. It’s not just that the cycles of sin and redemption travel through our existence, it’s that each generation, even each nation has their own private experience. Each one facing the exact same human dilemmas, yet behaving as though we are unaware of anything or anyone living before or after them. It’s so weird! Even Israel, which has a good grasp of their very long legacy – can’t even recognize Jesus as THE messiah. Oh Lord, your patience is unmatched. One thing is clear, You are in control, You have the one and only plan of redemption for all who would believe and You know when the end will come. Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

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Relentless Pursuit

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Is your calling to go or stay? After a terrorizing night on the beach, where Jesus (a Jewish Rabbi and his 12 Jewish disciples) landed on the shores of Gerasenes. Gersa was a part of the larger Roman Decapolis or ten cities. Jesus purposely crossed the Galilee for an appointment with divine destiny.

No self respecting Jew would have anything to do with this area of the eastern shore. It is believed that the Decapolis was the “Las Vegas” of its day, where there was entertainment, exploration and excitement galore. Gerasenes was known to the locals as “pig island” because of the vast herds providing pork meat products supplying the massive festivals in the arenas. Where there were personal vomitoriums, like public toilets, surrounded the outdoor stadiums, whether it is true or not, decadence was absolutely a big part of the Roman celebrations.

We don’t know where the “tomb man” came from, nor his history. But we do know where he ended up! Out of his mind, and the under control of thousands of demons – his body was like an influencer’s party at an Airbnb. After Jesus exercised the demons out of the man and allowed them to take temporary residence in a large herd of pigs, the response was immediate. The locals wanted Jesus to GO, but the exercised man wanted to go with him! The villagers and the previously demon possessed man were apparently afraid. The difference is, the villagers were afraid of Jesus bringing this kind of power over demons but they also saw that Jesus had power over their entire economy! The pig herders didn’t want Jesus to wipe out any more of their financial income.

The now safe-n-sane man was also afraid. He was afraid to go back to his own community, realizing that his previous life had likely burned all of his relational bridges. He was afraid of the power of his past. The now freed man begged Jesus to take him with them, but Jesus told him “No.” Jesus wanted him to go back to his family, back home where everyone knew his story. Interesting that his “discipleship” path led him back, not forward to follow the savior. Jesus gave him one simple but profoundly difficult command, “Tell them everything that God has done for you.” Some folks journey doesn’t lead them off to extraordinary adventures where life is hard, where the mission field requires language and cultural training. Some are called, chosen to go back to where they came from. Back to the familiar place, where people know them and know their story well.

Jesus was telling him to go back and live a whole different story, starting with the one where he was roommates with 2,800 devils. He had crazy fits of rage, and was a constant danger to anyone that tried to come near to help. But the new story, where he had been set free, now had the power of the love of God radiating from every pore of his soul! This amazing story shows us that Jesus clearly wanted the previously known mad-naked-man to follow him, but to do so by going back to his people, immediately illustrating that God wants us to both BE a disciple but also MAKE disciples. This story also illustrates how God relentlessly pursues the human heart, stopping at nothing to free us and give us a whole new story to tell.

This is how God pursues – endlessly, constantly. Mad naked man only knew how to cut himself, to fend off suicidal whispers. He only knew how to scream from the intense pain of torture and imprisonment. He ran towards Jesus in hope that he could help him, save him! You don’t think God pursues you? Look again. In your torment, fighting to stay alive while whispers of death haunt your mind – scream out to Jesus! He will meet you on the beaches of your own pig island and set you free.

Prayer

Dad,
My life had nowhere near the trauma of the mad naked man, but who knows where it might have gone. All I know is that you saw me, spoke to me and offered me the relationship I needed most – to be my Father. You saved me and are constantly setting me free from my past. I live because you re-wrote my story and now I am yours forever.

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Modern Politicians

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Hide me from the plots of this evil mob, from this gang of wrongdoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly. They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps in secret. “Who will ever notice?” they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, “We have devised the perfect plan!” Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭64‬:‭2‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Is it just me, or does David’s enemies sound a lot like today’s politicians?

We know that David wrote this under severe persecution by king Saul. We also know that God withdrew His Spirit from Saul and gave him a tormenting spirit because Saul had willfully disobeyed God and refused to come clean about it 1 Samuel 15:26 & 16:14. Plus, God had already chosen and anointed David as the future king of Israel, but allowed Saul to continue as king for 22 more years. Saul spent the rest of his miserable, neutered life chasing down David to kill him. He was unable to do so because God was protecting David.

These words, in this psalm, were oddly given to the choir director to turn into a song (what a weird song). A song about the frustrating moments that David experienced. These evil issues often come with leaders and politicians when they’ve lost their ability to see, speak or lead with integrity. David records the mindset of these kinds of leaders.

They plot! They spend all their energy on conniving, convincing and controlling rather than leading to a positive future. They fight invisible enemies with worthless words that do not inspire greatness, they only instill fear and divisiveness. They aim their bitter words at all that oppose them. They conspire with others, those magnetized by the promise of power and position. They shrewdly scheme to set traps in hopes that no one will ever find out they are buried in bitterness with no hope of fixing the problems of their people. Their hearts are too perverse to solve humanity’s problems. True leaders don’t attack people, they attack the problems! They don’t blame others, they rise to solve the issue, injecting hope and confidence in others.

At this point in David’s life, his faith was in God who would deal with Saul directly, “But God himself will shoot them with his arrows, suddenly striking them down. Their own tongues will ruin them, and all who see them will shake their heads in scorn,” Psalms‬ ‭64‬:‭7‬-‭8‬.

Prayer

​Dad,
Things haven’t changed much, have they? We are still the broken, selfishly driven people that got booted out of the garden! Oh, and when we get a little power and get a little cash – it quickly goes to our head and chills our heart. You are still the same though – yesterday, today and forever. You still see us, know us and grieve over the dumb, unjust ways we live, rule and reign. And, even though I know David was a man after your own heart, he didn’t fare that well either. When he was at the top of his game and his rooftop he lost it all by lusting after the neighbor. The wife of one of his best warriors. Uriah had no idea what was coming. I am so grateful that your long suffering has put up with us for so long. Yet, I know all this will come to the end and then there’s the judgement. Even though my sin is covered by Jesus’ sacrifice, I will still be held accountable for every gift, every moment I squandered; every decision I’ve made as a Pastor. But… at least I’m not a king nor politician 😬.

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When God speaks.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning. The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭3‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David writes this Psalm highlighting the voice of God. It is believed to have been written when God told David that he would not be building the temple because of his bloody war hands. So David gives his son the detailed plans and instructions to build the magnificent structure, including the surrounding courtyard, 1 Chronicles 28. It is in these celebratory moments that David writes about the power and majesty of the Lord’s voice. This Psalm was inserted towards the end of David’s life.

Yesterday, we had a sudden storm race through Southern California, but with this quick burst of rain also came massive thunder and lightning. Thunder that rattles windows and scares little children! This timeless reminder is what David uses to highlight the power of God. When God speaks in power the earth itself shakes in response!

It reminds me of the moment God told Elijah to go out on the face of mount Horeb in 1 Kings 19:11-13. Elijah experienced hurricane force winds, an earthquake, and fire. But God was not in those destructive experiences. After all that Elijah heard the sound of a low whisper, he covered his face and went out to listen to God. Yes, God’s voice cannot only come in power, enough to split cedars, make mountains skip and leap and strip forests bare. God can also come in a whisper, drawing the human ear and heart close to himself. God, as creator of all things, has both the power to wreak havoc as well as the power to save and heal our hearts.

Prayer

​Dad,
When I stop and think about Your power over all things in everything that exists everywhere, it humbles me to realize that You love us – You love me! We are uniquely created in Your image and You breathed life into our soul. It reminds me that all that power has been leveraged into the physical might to save us, not destroy us. Your power is for us not against us. You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble. I am thankful for Your power working in me.

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Proper use of power of position.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet. On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Esther‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This moment captures the pinnacle of power Esther had learned to properly stewart. And, no doubt, she also had a massive dose of FOTL – Favor of the Lord! Even in Esther’s response, you hear no hubris, no ego, no self promoting angle. “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request.” Of course we know it’s a courtly formality that could easily be faked! We see the scoundrel, Haman, cozy up to the King to fulfill a personal vendetta against Mordecai and commit genocide on all the Jewish people in the kingdom.

The book of Esther gives us the perfect compare and contrast on the use of power over people. This moment at the planned banquet rose to the apex of the story arc, when Esther delivers the news to the king – she asked King Xeres to spare her life and the life of her people! One can feel the rage of justice finding its voice in the King, “Who would do such a thing?” Wow! Esther, now filled with the boldness worthy of her stature as a great queen speaks these words, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.”

Immediately Haman grew pale with his dark plans, exposed in the light, before the king and queen! The very blood that drove his revengeful, blind jealousy, would run away from his pompous face, now filled with fear. What an amazing example of the power dynamics that should exist in kings, rulers and leaders over human beings!

When and if you happen to rise in your company, your family or even your neighborhood HOA Association remember this. Power is for protecting the least, the weak the poor, or those on the fringe. Power consumed for one’s self will set yourself against God. God sees those unfortunate and disadvantaged. And God is looking for good and just men and women to lead well with those who have power over others. May the favor of the Lord be with you who leverage your gain, their reputation, wealth and certainty power to lead others.

Prayer

​Dad,
I get the feeling that most don’t think they have any power, any influence over others. I think we do. It may be small, but it is still there – where we work, live and play. Help us remember, in all humility, that you saw us, you loved us even while we were your enemies. Give us your favor, to do and be justice over those we influences around us. That we would speak up for them just as Esther did!

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Aren’t we all a little truth-anemic?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Are you sitting or standing still right now?

Depending on where you live you are actually moving at an incredible number of miles per hour! 1,038 mph for those who live near the equator. I am spinning in Los Angeles at 860 mph right now! Why aren’t we all nauseously experiencing vertigo? I’m told it’s because wherever you are, everything around you is spinning at exactly the same speed. Like driving fast in a car, but it doesn’t feel like you are moving until you look outside or come to an abrupt stop!

The Apostle Paul tells us that the message of the cross, that the perfect son of God, was falsely charged and put to death. Jesus was completely innocent and was judged as guilty then executed. Even in our limited understanding of justice we know that is wrong! With Jesus, justice was not served. We relish shows and podcasts about such parodies. When it comes to Jesus – justice was not served, but mercy was.

We value innocence so highly that we believe it should be protected, even avenged. For Jesus, there was no such thing. Humans put Jesus on the cross, and God not only “allowed” it, He planned it! I can’t say that Jesus looked forward to being mocked, misrepresented, mutilated and murdered, but He did look forward to the results – true freedom for all creation. We normally hate it when bad guys get away with murder. That makes Good Friday a conundrum, a paradoxical reality. It’s was a sham, a travesty, and injustice at its best! But for those who know, those who believe in the message of the cross, it was the most significant act of love we will ever experience.

Why would the cross and its message of mercy be so foolish to anyone? Especially for those running towards the cliff of their own curiosity and cunningness? Well, it turns out we want something more than justice. We bristle at a mockery of innocence but we boil over something far more precious to us – SELF DETERMINATION! The cross is foolish because it cuts against the grain of our self inflated ego that pretends that we are our own god. And, that we control our own destiny! If we want to follow fake gods, so be it – it is our choice. If we want to make our own gods and worship them, pretending they hear us, heal us and save us – that’s our decision.

The cross is foolish because, if this capital punishment was used to murder God himself just to satisfy the Holy demands of perfection, then we would have to admit the truth.

We are not God!

We cannot fix ourselves, let alone save us from our own self-determined decisions. Or to close our mind and harden our heart to our creator. You can call on orbs or UAP’s all you want, but they cannot, will not, save or satisfy the ache in our soul. We would choose to die, facing eternity without certainty, rather than bend our knee before God upon our final breath. Yep, that’s us!

Hubris humanity all the way to the end.

The truth is, we are all hurling towards eternity at the amazing speed of life. There are plenty of people that do not think about their spiritual soul at all, and rarely, if ever, think about eternity. Believing in annihilation upon death is a little bit like believing that we are standing still on a gigantic ball that’s really spinning hundreds of miles an hour. We’re short on truth and full of ourselves with foolishness. But we that are being saved know and believe that the message of the cross is factually the power of God to save us not to destroy us.

Prayer

​Dad,
I really do NOT like playing the fool! Although I know I’ve dip my toes in the fool-pool way too many times. When it comes to the message of the cross, I not only get it – I am completely banking on it! I know that life is far more than this brief, puff of wispy smoke on planet earth. However, even from grief to great experiences, I am thankful for every minute I’ve spent here because it is so extraordinarily unique. Maybe we are the only fallen planet as C.S. Lewis suggests? I am grateful for every powerful moment that the cross of Christ afforded me to live as your adopted son. I am also thankful to call you Abba!

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Template for a great leader.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. Help him judge your people in the right way; let the poor always be treated fairly.” Psalms‬ ‭72‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

King David in Psalm 72 seems to pray a proclamation of true leadership, true reasons for royalty to protect, provide and preserve the kingdom. David’s prayer captures the core of what it looks like when one leads with power and wealth to wield and leverage righteousness to yield prosperity, peace and equality.

The psalm lays out the template for Solomon to be an effective and truly great king. The king should be deeply invested in the people, that they would “flourish during his reign,” that they would prosper in every way possible. Yet the king’s eye would always be attentive to “rescue the poor when they cry to him,” and “help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.” The king’s heart would constantly be leaning toward the weak and needy, obsessing with ways to “redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.” The might and authority of great kings, great leaders is to always look out for the least, lifting them from pits, lending them their own power.

We may recognize, this is how our Almighty God rules and reigns forever. God’s power and wealth have no end, His wisdom stoops toward the weak and His peace, grace and mercy are lavished on the meek and humble. Yes! This is not just a template not for kings, but for anyone who would lead others in their care! Question: How would you say David measured up to this kingly template? How about his son, Solomon. How do you think he did?

Prayer

​Dad,
We are not You, not God! However, being created in your image, we are like you. That whole idea of emulating your character and qualities, criticality shows up in how we lead others. I am not a king, nor hold any kind of political position. Yet as a pastor, I have a charge to lead in a righteous and godly manner. I believe it does mean that I get to leverage what little power and money I am given to manage, it must be distributed with an eye to the poor and a heart towards the least of these! I must lead as you have led us – with wisdom, grace and mercy. Amen.

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With you it’s different.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭42‬-‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus said, you know that those recognized to “archó,” to rule over the “ethnos,” a race, the nations (usually referring to unbelieving Gentiles, non-Jews), do so in two ways; they “katastrēniáō,” exercise lordship or dominion over, and they “eksousiázō,” exercise authority or wield power over. Using dominion and power to gain compliance. It’s a very common and effective way to force people to do things against their will. Jesus then told his disciples, “however, it should not be among you.”

Jesus noted that in this world there is a prevalent leadership model that uses hierarchy and power to achieve results. Sometimes it’s good results, sometimes it bad. James and John had asked Jesus to grant them this opportunity to lead with position and power by placing them at the right and left hand of his throne. They still expected Jesus to become the messianic king of Israel. Thus, James and John were asking for positions or titles of authority in this earthly kingdom.

In a very teachable moment, Jesus asked the brothers if they truly knew what they were asking. Then he asked them a rhetorical question (a rhetorical question is asked to make a point or emphasize something, not to get an actual answer), ”Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” Still thinking Jesus was referring to the struggles of leading a revolution, the brothers replied “Oh yes, we are able!” Then completely reorienting their ideals of taking over Rome, Jesus said to them, that it’s not up to him, and they will indeed suffer. But, more importantly, Jesus makes his point – they are to be completely different kinds of leaders. Jesus strongly says, “It will NOT be with you!” Referring to how Rome governs people.

Jesus followers are not to lead from high status, but of low. They are not to wield power by controlling, but by serving. Is there such a thing as low, servanthood leadership? Jesus clarified that in His kingdom as the Son of man, he came to serve not to be served. He came to give His life as ransom-money to free slaves! Jesus modeled the leadership qualities he expected of his followers.

A simple observation, James and John felt comfortable enough to ask Jesus about the seating arrangements in his kingdom. The other disciples were incensed, but instead, Jesus engaged them with a question, not immediately giving an answer. Does the Holy Spirit still respond to our questions like this? Not immediately answering the question but sending us off on a journey of curiosity and discovery. A great question is a teacher’s delight because it means the student is hungry to learn!

As a Pastor/teacher I believe people should ask questions. And, I am sure they want answers. I have to refrain from thinking these questions come from places of doubt or manipulation. I get too defensive thinking it’s just a trap, like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Even then Jesus enjoyed answering with one of his own questions! James and John may have been asking for positions of power, but Jesus was able to use it for a teachable moment – but for you it’s different.

Prayer

​Dad,
I should not be so surprised when I see Jesus using such powerful, patient words to cut through the pretense of the moment and engage people in truth. It’s like He knows us because He is the creator of all things! I get so defensive when I feel cornered, trapped or manipulated, it’s hard to think straight. Yet, Jesus was always looking for ways to engage our hearts and cause deep change within our soul and spirit. It is such a beautiful moment to read these real stories and watch the Master at work. Thank you for your grace and mercy, your patience and love in catching on to what you want us to see and do likewise. Amen.