Among the commodities that make the world go ‘round, we have food, drink, shelter, money – and power. Power is essential in the physical world. Without power, nothing gets done.

Power turns electric and gasoline motors, car tires, and drive shafts. We need power to pick up a heavy load, to walk, and to help a neighbor in need. And…power is released in a bomb’s explosion and from a criminal’s gun.

So, power is a-moral and can be used for great good or for great evil.

Power is also unleashed in the personal world, sometimes with devastating effects.

We are currently witnessing the use of power in the crushing of Ukraine by Russian aggression. In Afghanistan, Taliban leaders are using power to hunt down and kill enemies, including our Christian brothers and sisters. The government of China is unleashing its power against Uyghurs, Christians, and other non-compliants.

Jesus was, of course, completely aware of the good and evil uses to which power could be put, so what He has to say about those who are in positions of power is timeless and true. It was also timely as He spoke to His followers about power with His death looming.

He was a couple of days, or even hours away from going to the cross when He overheard the apostles arguing with each other about who was Apostle #1 / who was the greatest / who was most powerful.

In response, Jesus made a true-for-all-time comment about the way the world works. [Luke 22:25] “The kings of the Gentiles domineer over them; and those who have authority over them are called Benefactors.”

(“Benefactor” here is used in a negative sense as someone who can bring great relief but does so at the cost of the freedom of those they help. The term was often used of Rome’s Caesars.)

To Jesus’ comment, we say, “Yep.” It was true then and it is true now.

What we are watching in distant lands, and what we often see here at home are people in positions of power doing what people in positions of power typically do. Whether in business, government, church, or home, it is tempting to grasp for more power.

Power is an addicting elixir and the taste of it whets our appetites for more. In our pursuit of power, we may well get it. And if we get it, we may well fulfill Jesus’ words and “domineer” others.

Power tempts the best of us to “lord it over” others. Not surprisingly, Jesus points us in another direction. His observation about the typical use of power (abuse it, grasp it, grow it) is followed by this:

[Luke 22:26] “But it is not this way for you. Rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.”

Notice. Jesus didn’t at all reject the idea of being greatest or powerful. He simply redefined what greatness looks like and re-directed what we do with power.

Rather than use power for self-aggrandizement, use it to serve. Don’t use power to destroy, but to build up. Don’t domineer, help the weak. That’s what He taught – and that’s how He lived.

Jesus used His power to feed the hungry, to heal the sick and to cleanse lepers, to give sight to the blind and to raise the dead. Then, on the last night of His life, the most powerful Man to have ever lived, wrapped a servant’s towel around His waist and washed the filthy feet of His followers.

His words – [Luke 22:27] “I am among you as the one who serves.” – have a special bite to them because He DID what He told His followers to DO.

Later, the Apostle Paul “got it” and called the believers of His day to follow Jesus’ example and “empty” themselves of the prerogatives of power – just like He did – and serve. (Philippians 2:1-5)

When Jesus invites us who believe in Him to an “abundant” life (See John 10:10), He is calling us to use whatever power we have for the benefit of those around us, in His Name. He knew from first-hand experience that using power to bless the powerless is the best, the most enriching, the most meaningful, the most abundant of all possible ways to live.

We often hear people say about the power-hungry rulers of our age, “He’s mad! He’s insane! He’s crazy!” – to which I say, “Not so fast.”

It is not insane for a powerful person to domineer others. It isn’t crazy for someone with authority to lord it over others or to take advantage of others just because he or she can. After all, it’s the way the world has worked for a long, long time. It is completely human to “domineer.”

But, if such a life might be normal, human, and even sane, it is all wrong. It is an evil and a gross perversion of God’s design. It is ugly. And it never ends well.

The beautiful life is the life of humble foot-washing and self-emptying that Jesus modeled for us.

He held His power loosely, exercised it lovingly. So, let’s follow Jesus and learn to use the power we have as moms and dads, as men and women in business and industry and education, as church leaders – in service.

Beautiful.

Yours…His,
Dave