Power

One of the men with Jesus pulled out a sword and slashed off the ear of the high priest’s servant.“ Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those using swords will get killed.  Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?                         Matthew 26: 51-53

We are familiar with this passage from the book of Matthew, outlining a scene from the Garden of Gethsemane when Jeus was betrayed by Judas. Peter, (presumably) drew his sword and slashed the high priest’s servant, severing his ear. Jesus rebuked Peter, telling him that if he chose, he could summon thousands of angels to wipe out the puny force arrayed against him.   

Peter had not gotten the message that Jesus was here to shed his own blood, not the blood of others. This is what Jesus did with power- he sublimated his own power so that others would benefit. That same resurrection power, to be displayed just two days later, could have been used to destroy all who stood against him. Jesus chose to use his power to give life to others, not death.

So, let us consider what we do with power. Do we use it for our own benefit, and to subdue others, or do we give it away to benefit others.

That is the fundamental message, and question, of Easter.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the expression of real power and how to use it, Amen