The Responsibility of Power
In Luke 10, we find that Jesus sent out 70 disciples. Unlike the 12 disciples, these disciples are not explicitly named. However, we can see that Jesus had important work for them to do. Jesus also gave them the authority to carry out the assigned tasks. This is important, because you and I are disciples.
If we have believed in our hearts and confessed with our mouths Jesus Christ, there is work for us to do. It does not matter if our names are instantly recognized or if we have ranked among those who are counted as important.
The world operates upon a system of popularity and personality, but God counts all believers as worthy of important work. There is a great duty to fulfill because we are kindness, love and encouragement personified. We represent not ourselves, but Christ. The lesson in Luke is a practical and cautionary reminder of how service to humankind is service to God.
Jesus sent the 70 out two by two. Jesus did not restrict the places they were to go. (The 12 disciples initially had restrictions on where they were to go.) He did give them specific assignments. Jesus said 1) Heal the sick; and 2) Tell them the kingdom of God has come near.
Jesus also told the disciples how to conduct themselves if they were received or if they were rejected. He told them not to “house hop,” but to find a place and stay there. He even taught them how to be gracious, even if the food was not from an upscale restaurant or prepared by the same chef who cooked for the king. Jesus said, “eat(ing) and drink(ing) whatever they give you,…”
As disciples, we are still called to heal the sick and tell others that the kingdom of God has come near. The healing may result from the laying on of hands or prayers offered up on behalf of those who are sick. But listen, healing may mean taking the sick to the doctor, or taking them to chemo, or taking them to dialysis. Healing the sick may mean making sure that the person gets a decent meal.
How about you being the one to offer your time to care for, listen to or speak to a bruised or broken spirit? The healing may even mean sharing of our substance (money). You and I represent Christ. We do not simply hear the Word Sunday after Sunday. We apply what we have learned. God has given you the power to fulfill his mandates.
As we look closer at the verses in Luke 10:17-20, Jesus said to the returning disciples, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” This passage is quite powerful in this particular situation. Jesus was well aware of hidden dangers even for those who have the desire to serve. Christ opens our eyes to the pitfall of pride.
There are three lessons we can learn about the challenges that come with the privilege of power:
1) An abuse of power will certainly lead to a loss of authority. Jesus points to what happened to Satan when he abused his power. Let us look at Ezekiel 28:14-16 (NIV): “You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.”
Here is an answer to the questions many have asked about God creating good and evil. God did not create evil. He created a being of free will who decided heaven was not enough. He decided that being with God was not enough. He decided that perfection was not enough. You and I have free will. We are ordained, but we can toss off that mantel of privilege and pursue that which is not of Christ.
2) Power wrapped in pride deceives the prideful. 2 Corinthians 10:18 (ESV): “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” We must be careful not to give ourselves accolades and boast in our own accomplishments. We must always be thankful to God, for it is God to whom all glory is due. God is the one who will elevate.
3) Imitating the wicked in power will lead to destruction. Proverbs 3:31-32 (NIV): “Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.” Do not let society dictate your behavior by following after injustice. There is a standard of behavior that is only manifested if the heart has been changed by a personal encounter with God.
Jesus cautioned the 70 disciples about celebrating the power that they had over the evil spirits, even though they were doing the work in the name of Jesus. He spoke with them to show them how easily power can be abused and turned inward to corrupt the one who wields the power.
The power which we exercise as children of God is indeed mighty. Yet, the joy is not in the power we wield. The joy is that our names are written in the corridors of heaven.
St. James AME Church is located at 360 Dorothy St. in Charleston and worship service is held on the first and third Sunday of each month at 11 a.m. You may also join us on Zoom at pastorv.com.
