From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry until his death, he is tempted by the words ‘If you are…’ (Luke 4:3, 23.37).
Context
- What can happen when one church doesn’t cling to all the power.
Reflection
In 2018 the Chinese National People’s Congress made Xi Jinping leader for life. He is ‘king’ in all but name. In America, President Trump argues that the US constitution gives him unlimited power as well as immunity from prosecution: ‘I have the right to do whatever I want as President’ (July 2019). Power can so often be an addictive intoxicant. Once people have it in their hands, they can find it difficult to let it go. And the temptation to abuse power is ever-present.
Jesus was tempted at the very beginning of his ministry to take advantage of his divine power: ‘If you are the son of God, tell this stone to become bread’. This was followed by the offer of dominion over all the kingdoms of the world; and then, on the summit of the Temple, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here…’, that the angels might save him from death and thereby prove his heavenly power.
If we stop to think about it, with the exception of the third temptation, the things that Satan offered Jesus weren’t in and of themselves ‘bad’. In a world full of starving people, who wouldn’t like to be able to turn stone into bread?! And wouldn’t it a good thing to have Jesus in charge of all the world’s powers instead of power-crazed individuals? But then, that’s our agenda, and not God’s.
At the end of Jesus’ earthly life, while hanging on the cross, Jesus was both mocked and tempted with the words: ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself’ (Luke 23.37). Jesus did not fit the expectations of those who wanted a warrior Messiah. ‘Don’t just hang there – do something!’ But Jesus teaches us in so many passages that he did not come to be served but to serve. We are called to the same service, but we too can be tempted by the misuse of our calling: ‘Since we are believers, it ought to be nice for us.’ It is a temptation to view our calling as a privilege. But according to Jesus, ours is a service to the marginalised and suffering (Matt. 25.31-46).
Prayer
Loving, Creator God, you are the source of all power, and yet you came to us in the form of a helpless babe. That babe became the man, Jesus, who refused to claim your divine power and use it for his own sake.
Jesus has taught all of his followers that being faithful to you and serving you are the things that make for your kingdom, and that you manifest your power in weakness. So much of what Jesus taught us has been ignored as ‘impractical’ and ‘unrealistic’. We have been warned that ‘those who live by the sword shall die by the sword’, yet we still stockpile weapons and put our trust in them.
One worldly power after another rises and then collapses, and still we think that we have the power and wisdom to design a perfect state – one that will justify our designs and desires. At the same time, we refuse to work – here and now – for your kingdom. Open our eyes to see that your kingdom is eternal, whereas all earthly kingdoms will become dust.
Gracious God, in your mercy, forgive us for our folly and lack of faith. Reinvigorate us with your Holy Spirit. Re-align our priorities with your will that we might become more effective servants for your kingdom. Give us the strength of purpose to follow your Son, Jesus, so that we might one day be welcomed with your loving words: ‘Well done, good and faithful servants’.
Amen.
Questions
- As a Christian, what does ‘power’ look like to you?
- What sorts of questions might Jesus put to the Church today as regards power?
- Has the Church’s loss of moral authority anything to do with the way it has used (or not used) its power in the past?
All-age activity
What would Jesus ask? Take a look at this article and in small groups or at a time within worship make use of its suggestions.
Young people
In light of the temptations associated with the abuse of power, watch the film (or excerpts from) Bruce Almighty, and discuss how you might be tempted to deal with bullying, cheating on exams, winning someone’s love, etc.
Rev. Dr. Jack Lawson is the Mission Implementation Coordinator for the United Methodist Church in central North Carolina. He also lectures in Hebrew Bible and is a free-lance author. He is the author of the novel Doing Time which is based on his years as a chaplain in a Southern US women’s prison.
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