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

Get to the Back of the Line

Philippians 2:6-11

From humble servant to exalted King… Today’s passage brings to mind Matthew 20:16, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”  Jesus very well could have used his stature as God’s son to demand obedience from others, but he didn’t.  He didn’t ask for special treatment.  He was just a man among men.

Jesus, who was everything, made himself nothing.  He didn’t take advantage of his power and authority to get out of doing things.  Instead, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross” (v. 8).

Because Jesus made himself last, God made him first.  “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (v. 9).

Jesus gives us a wonderful example.  Our adulation will not come here on earth, but with our Father in heaven.  This isn’t the time or place for a big ego.  We’re called to be humble servants who love the Lord.  If we go through this life acknowledging Jesus Christ as our Savior, then we will have done what we are called to do.  A glorious new life will be waiting, and we can trade in our humanness for a royal robe in God’s kingdom. Our riches will come in the form of salvation and eternal happiness.

Now would I still like Publisher’s Clearing House to show up at my door with an oversized check?  Certainly! But as a follower of Christ, I know where my true treasure lies.  I just need Scripture and people like Paul to keep reminding me of that.

FAITHFULNESS: NO SMALL THING

Reading for today:  Genesis 39:4-6

 

Joseph had great administrative talent.  He instinctively knew how to manage people and their possessions.  It must have been quite obvious to those around him because it didn’t take long for people in authority to appoint him as overseer of their domains.

In our reading for today, we see the first example of this.  Potiphar made Joseph his personal servant and shortly thereafter, appointed him overseer of what Potiphar owned: his other servants, his household, his land – everything.

 

Joseph could have taken advantage of his position, lording it over other servants, quietly pilfering money or Potiphar’s possessions; even his master’s wife could be his.  Who would know?  His master “left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge…and he did not concern himself with anything…” (vs 6).  He wouldn’t check up on Joseph – he trusted him implicitly.  Why not take advantage, Joseph?  Why not grab something for yourself?  The answer?  He trusted His God for outcomes, as he faithfully served wherever God planted him.  The Lord was with Joseph, others noticed God’s blessing on his life; and he found favor with those over him: Potiphar, the chief jailer, Pharaoh.  

Jesus said, “The one who is faithful in the little things will be faithful in the big things…” (Luke 16:10, Phillips).  That certainly played out in Joseph‘s life – he began by overseeing one man’s household, and wound up running an entire nation! (See Genesis 41:33-44 for how this occurred)

 

Now, I don’t think that God has in mind for you and me to someday be a ruler of a nation, but does He not want us to be faithful in small ways so that He might use us in larger ways?  How are we doing in the faithfulness category of our lives: in finances, in relationships, in use of our time? 

 

Dear Lord, we are grateful for examples of faithfulness like Joseph.  Show us as we do a careful self-check where we may not be trustworthy.  Help us be faithful and true to You in even the smallest things in our lives.  Amen.

The Believer’s Pray-Be Bold

 Have you ever been so passionate about something that you spoke with the intensity of a great warrior or scholar and had no idea where the words came from? Was there a time when you stood strong for a cause in a way that you would have never believed you could?

Perhaps this is the type of inner passion today’s scripture refers to as speaking the word of God boldly.

Peter and John were seized and taken to jail because of what they were sharing about Jesus.  They were questioned and warned multiple times not to speak of or teach in the name of Jesus. Upon their release, Peter and John were even more intent on their mission.

They prayed; “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Holy Servant Jesus.”

Verse 31 goes on to say; After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

We can be bold and assertive without being aggressive or pushy. Being bold for the Lord is a great honor. Meeting people where they are with the confidence of the Holy Spirit within us will draw others to us.

Perhaps you are not a bold person by nature, but you will be amazed at what can come forth from within even the small and meek when the Spirit is near and we are open to it. Be bold for the Lord! He has certainly been bold for us!

Read/Listen to Acts 4:23-31

Encourage One Another - Serve

Hebrews 10:23-25 (MSG)
Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

Many of us are afraid of service. Just what will be expected of me? Do I have to do something I am not comfortable doing? I don't have time for this, is there something quick I do? Perhaps these questions are prompted by our misunderstanding of the word SERVE.

For me, I see a waitress or waiter, menus in hand, pencil poised just waiting to be given an order. While that is a form of service, it isn't the only one, nor what we are speaking of when we ask for folks to help serve.

Serving can be as simple as visiting with an elderly neighbor, perhaps bringing them food. It can be as mundane as raking leaves for this same neighbor, or as professional as providing skilled nursing.

Jesus served His followers every day. He provided food, healed

them from illness, washed their dusty feet, and showed kindness and love with every deed.

Jesus served His followers, not only the Disciples but all who followed His moves. He provided food, healed them from illness, washed their dusty feel and showed kindness and love with every deed. Jesus encouraged everyone who came in contact with Him. His servant's heart drew people into to Him. 

Our servant's heart will do the same. How are you going to put someone else first today? What will that look like in your life?


Hebrews 10:19-25

An unlikely role model for servants like us

So here’s the story line.  Isaac’s father, Abraham, sent his chief servant to go and find a wife for Isaac.  The servant asked God to lead him to the woman of God’s choosing and his prayer was answered in the person of Rebekah.  After the servant’s travel ... his prayer ... prayers answered ... the giving of gifts, it all came down to one question for Rebekah, “Will you go with this man?” and [SPOILER ALERT!] her reply, “I will go.” 

It is a inspiring story of unsung heroes, of obedience and perseverance, of faith overcoming doubt, of promises fulfilled, and the beginnings of love.  I recommend the book! 

Yet the story is also a depiction of God’s mission for us.  Jesus calls us his friends and he sends us forth to serve as he serves.  So let’s consider the story again, only this time looking to Abraham's chief servant as our role model.  Like him, we are on a mission.  And from him, we can learn much.

We are sent to find those chosen to belong to the “bride” of Christ – his church and its people.  Are we willing to pray for God's guidance and then actively search for the people of his choosing today? 

We, too, are sent with gifts, but of far greater worth than silver and gold.  How do we not only speak of Christ, but also confirm his love through gifts of light and life, peace and joy? 

They asked Rebekah, “Will you go?”  How do we muster this kind of boldness?  How do we pop the question?  And are we overthinking something this simple? 

When Rebekah replied, “I will go,” the chief servant brought her to the son of his master.  Are we willing to usher the willing safely into the presence of Christ? 

We’ve been given a gift: to live as servants.  Nothing could be more honorable.  Nothing could be more exciting. 

May we all look for our divine assignments today and then serve in humble obedience. 

[Today’s reading, Genesis 24:50-58, is excerpted from the story of the chief servant’s mission to find the bride of Isaac.  Click here to read this story.] 

John, More Than A Prophet

                                                                 Matthew 11: 2-11

Have you noticed that when Jesus was asked questions He seemed to indirectly respond as to make the listener dig deep within himself to understand His response? Jesus often used parables and figurative language to illustrate his point, and at times answered a question with a question.

In Matthew 11, John the Baptist was in prison and heard what Jesus was doing, so he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who has come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Before Jesus’ appearance, in John 1, John the Baptist was approached by priests and Levites from Jerusalem sent by the Jews to inquire about who he was. When asked directly, John stated that he was neither the Christ nor Elijah, but then he proceeded to tell them, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Elijah said.”

How could John have understood and been so comfortable in his role? Surely he was not born with the name John the Baptist. It is unlikely that as he was growing up his parents told him he would be cleansing the sins of man in the Jordan River. He followed the spirit of God to the place he felt he belonged.

Jesus said of John in Matthew 11:11 “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist….” 

As we grow and develop our interests and talents, we too must seek our purpose in the Lord. For some it seems easy, and they fall into their niche quite early in life. Others of us either ignore the nudging of the Lord or amidst the noise and commotion of this world do not make ourselves still to listen for our calling. No matter when we wake ourselves up to our purpose though, it is not too late. The arms of the Lord are always open to a “good and faithful servant.” 

Read/Listen to Matthew 11: 2-11

Humble by Nature

Humility: the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people

Philippians 2:4-5 (NIV)  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Jesus took the nature of a servant; His attitude was always one of loving by serving.  Remember the meal shared with his disciples, His final meal on earth, where He washed the feet of these men.   After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:5 (NIV) This was an act of supreme humility which was a natural outpouring of Jesus' love.

What does humility look like in my life?  Can it be seen easily?  Christ was willing to give up his rights as God and King by humbling himself.  The cross was meekness at its finest.  Jesus loved us so much he endured the humiliation of desertion, derision, and death.

Living a humble existence puts you before me. How do I do this?  This type of living can be as simple as letting the man in the grocery line with one or two items step in front of me.  Or, it can be a bit more challenging endeavor when we allow someone to have the final say in an argument while listening intently to their point.

Humility is the opposite of supercilious, (don't you love that word?). Humility and love go hand in hand; it is an outpouring of love that says, "You are more important than I."


Philippians 2