March 10 - Power and Authority

Matthew 20:17-28

Today we read about the mother of Zebedee’s sons (James and John) asking Jesus to grant that they sit at his right hand and left hand in his kingdom.

References to the right hand in the bible were often associated with power and authority. In Exodus 15:6 we read “Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.” I did not find much information on the left hand, but it seems to be a safe assumption that the left hand was second in power and authority to the right.

The desire for power and authority has been with us for a long time. We see it in governments, the workplace, families, and our own lives. Certainly there is a need for the order and leadership that comes from properly exercised power and authority, but far too often power and authority are sought for selfish purposes and are abused.

It is interesting to note that Matthew places the story about the mother of Zebedee’s sons immediately after Jesus predicts his suffering, death and resurrection and refers to himself as the “Son of Man”. Two weeks ago I learned about the term “son of man” as I was writing my blog. If you recall, this term goes back to Daniel 7:13-14: 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

After establishing who he was Jesus uses the request from the mother of Zebedee’s sons to make a radical point about power and authority. He says that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave.” Then he backs this up by citing his own life (and death) as an example. These are certainly not the words that we would expect to hear from the “son of man”, and yet that is the character of Jesus.

As we think about this reading from Matthew, are we really much different than the mother of Zebedee’s sons? Are we different than the disciples who were “indignant” when they heard about her request? Do we have servant hearts and do we live our lives like Jesus desires?

Lord, help us to better understand what it is to be “great”. Help us to know what it takes to be “first”. You demonstrated servant leadership as the “son of man”. Help us to demonstrate servant leadership as your disciples. Amen

Gripped by Grace

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Before we began our walk with Jesus, before the personal relationship with Jesus, we were lost and in chains.  We remember the angst in our being, the knot in the pit of our stomach.  We never want to go back to that life.  There was such darkness but we didn't see it then; that is because we viewed everything through the eye of a slave.  One bound to the earth with no heavenly hope.

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.  Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.  You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:2-4)

Having experienced Grace why would one ever go back to law.  To embrace law and return to the old way is to reject Jesus and his Grace. That would be like living as though we can save ourselves.  Like a mother walking with her child, holding on to his hand with a firm grip and having the child yank his hand free and holding it himself.  If he veers into traffic there is no saving him.  It is only the strong, loving hand of the mother that will save the child from tragedy.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6)

It is through faith we are saved by grace, there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. This should be a freeing thought for it takes the pressure off.  Just as the child feels safe and protected in his mother’s firm grasp, we can experience the same assurance from our Heavenly Father when our hand is securely tucked into His.

Galatians 5:1-6