Prayer Practice
Lectio – Read today’s passage
through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need
to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see
what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect
to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God
through His Word.
DAILY READING
DEVOTION / REFLECTION
Who Has the Power?
by Mary McGinnis
As I was reading and rereading today’s passage, there were phrases that the Holy Spirit kept stirring up in my heart.
In Luke 22:53 Jesus says, “When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
The word POWER used here from the original language (exousia) alludes to power that is granted. It was power exercised as a privilege, as one who has delegated influence or authority. In that place in time, in that hour, the chief priest, temple officers, and elders were wielding their powerful authority, using force, deceit, and treachery, and every possible means to destroy Jesus. But where did their power really come from? How long would it last?
Ephesians 6:12 says, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
It appeared that their power was winning. The traitor’s kiss. The arrest. Peter's denial. They bring Him before their court to interrogate Him and judge Him. They sought to bring Him down, and prove they had the right and authority to kill Him.
Then Jesus says (Luke 22:69): “But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”
This word for POWER is a different than one used earlier. This word in the Greek is where we derive our English word “dynamic.” This word means “inherent power, the power that resides in a thing by virtue of it’s nature.”
Jesus was the very nature of God! That is why Jesus was able to heal the servant’s ear. In the Gospel of John, this is why when they came to arrest Him, Jesus says, “I am He,” the power of His words knocked them to the ground.
Even though these “leaders of the hour” seemed to have authority, and the power of evil seemed to be winning, Jesus was the ultimate powerful One. He had inherent power because of WHO HE WAS. Not only would He ONE DAY be seated in the place of honor and authority, at the Almighty God’s right hand, but He already WAS. And His place of power and glory would be a continually present state for the REST OF TIME!
When Jesus used this word for POWER, the Jews recognized that He was using the same word they used as an expression in place of the sacred name of God. That is why they concluded, "What further testimony do we need?"
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3
Death could not hold You!
The veil torn before You!
You silenced the boast of sin and grave!
Lord Jesus, let me live as though I remember that the Kingdom is Yours, and the Power is Yours and the glory, forever! Amen!
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