Luke 9v51-56

A day later in our reading, Jesus has now set his mind on heading up to Jerusalem. Maybe he just didn’t want to be a part of the crowds, or maybe he was afraid of pressing those who stood against him, maybe he just wanted to go alone…a number of reasons come to mind but he is headed toward Jerusalem. Luke points us to the fact that the time of his departure is growing nearer.

Remember, the Gospels are not play by play accounts but histories that are written later. So we see that we are entering into the final phase of Luke’s writing; Jesus has a date with his destiny and he is resolutely heading toward it.

He has been well received earlier in Samaria as he has treated them with love and respect. He is now heading up to Jerusalem; he is leading a new exodus and just like before Moses and the people messengers (angels) went out, here he sends messengers ahead. James and John are eager to take up an Elijah type position, a moment of power and judgement, and to call down fire on those who stand in Jesus’ way.

But he says, “No.”

He rebukes those who have the power and long to use it. He is resolutely set on going up to Jerusalem where we will see him teach truth, call people to repentance, work miracles, bring healing and above all show unmatched grace and love.

Today’s Element: Power

It’s a scary thing. We often want to use our power or our leverage to get what we want. James and John hear just clearly want Jesus to be on top, to be the true messiah, to take back God’s land, and he will..and more. But his plan is different. Jesus will not operate from a position of overwhelming powerful force but will act from a position of powerful unconditional love.

We have a choice; we can use…

power over – brute force, manipulation, leverage, violence

power under – love, service, compassion, mercy, listening (ummmm…think dying on a cross)

1) Which of these two routes do we see Jesus take?

2) Which do we most often take (individually, as a culture, as a country)?

3) Why is it so hard to trust in a power under approach?

4) In the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. we have one of the most amazing stories of non-violoent (power under) resistance yielding social change in the history of the world. Why do we find it so hard to embrace this type of force in other areas?

5) How can you put down the hammer/gun/telphone/keyboard today and pick up the towel or the cross?

Peace ~