“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Mine would be mind control, so I could force all the bad drivers on the highway off the road or make my kids comply with my request that they finish dinner. I think superhero lore exists because deep down inside, we all wish we had a little more power to exert over our environment and circumstances. Whether we get smarter, stronger or have a cool advantage, what it reveals is a human desire to possess an authority that makes things happen.
Oftentimes, the way we are tempted to establish authority is through insecurity. It is a fear of powerlessness and loss of control that demands we become bigger than our circumstances, causing us to manipulate people, overpower the environment and force our will unto those around us.
Jesus, being submitted to the Father, was not insecure about His authority, and because of his confidence, was able to give his disciples increased authority to change their environment by healing the sick, casting out demons and overcoming all the power of the enemy but told them not to take joy in the fact that demons submit to them, but that their names are written in the book of Life.* His is an authority that empowers instead of manipulates, and is proven enough that it can serve instead of micromanage. Today, we open our desire to be over one another and submit our authority to God, who interacts with the environment out of love instead of fear and a desire to build up instead of crush into submission.
*Luke 10
Reflection:
What areas in your life do you possess authority? This could be at home, work, ministry, relationally, etc.
What attribute of Jesus’ leadership are you willing to practice walking in?
Prayer:
Father God, I acknowledge You gave man authority over our environment when You gave us dominion over the earth, and that it was always part of Your plan that I would have an influence in the world around me. I submit my authority to You, opening my insecurity and exposing my fear of powerlessness. Cultivate in me the assurance that You know my name, and show me how to establish authority like Jesus, who was so secure in Your relationship that He gave others freedom to influence the world, which beat back darkness and manifested Your will on Earth as it is in Heaven. Thank you for calling me to partner with you in impacting this world with Your love. Amen.
