Claiming superiority and power is not Christian
Daily Scripture
Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 23:11-12
Mark 10
35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.”
38 Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, 40 but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John. 42 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. 43 But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. 44 Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, 45 for the Human One [or Son of Man] didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.
Matthew 23
11 But the one who is greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
James and John thought it wise to seek the top jobs in the earthly political kingdom they expected Jesus to set up. Jesus didn’t just say they should use proper channels. He said human status-seeking utterly missed what his kingdom is about. As he said serving others is the path to greatness in his kingdom, “Jesus is redefining power itself.” * Like the Golden Rule, he called you to consider others’ needs before your own rather than setting yourself, your nation or your faith above all others.
- “To liberate many people” is from the Greek lutron, often rendered “ransom.” Taking the “ransom” idea too literally (e.g., “Who did he pay it to?”) misses the point. Scholar William Barclay said, “This saying of Jesus is a simple, pictorial way of saying that it cost the life of Jesus to bring [humans] back from their sin into the love of God. It means the cost of our salvation was the Cross of Christ.” ** How does Jesus’ choice to serve you, to win you to God’s love, speak to your heart?
- Jesus was probably applying Isaiah 53 to himself in Mark 10:45 (he also did that in Luke 22:37). “God’s power is at its greatest not in his destruction of the wicked but in his taking all the wickedness of the earth into himself and giving back love.” *** How might Jesus’ model of servant-leadership shape your approach to settings in which you can lead or influence others? Can you choose a specific way to lead or influence this week that aligns with Jesus’ Golden Rule?
Prayer
O God, you do not want me to hate myself. But you also don’t want me to be so proud of myself that I try to take credit for what I can only do through your power. Keep me humble. Amen.
GPS Insights
Amy Oden
Dr. Amy Oden is Professor of Early Church History and Spirituality, teaching at several seminaries. Teaching is her calling, and she looks forward to every day with students. Her latest book (Right Here, Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness, Abingdon Press, 2017) traces ancient mindfulness practice for Christians today.
What can we say about vocal Christians who claim to speak for all Christians or who claim to have the right to total political power or to claim absolute Christian superiority?
There’s a lot we can say clearly and strongly: Claims to superiority and power are not Christian. These claims are not based in Scripture, not based on Jesus’ life or teaching and not founded on the gospel message of good news (Luke 4:16-20). Christian Nationalists put their trust in their own power rather than in God. Christians who claim superiority or the right to power tarnish the name of Love. Christians who try to force their religious beliefs onto others do spiritual violence, a kind of spiritual terrorism that keeps people in fear more than in love. This is not the Jesus Way of healing and love. This is not biblical Christianity that evidences spiritual fruits.
Most helpful for me, however, is to turn to the biblical way to unmask false Christianity: look for the fruits of the Spirit. These are our best guideposts, according to Scripture, for following the Jesus Way (Galatians 5:22-25). Scripture says to determine the legitimacy and authority of a faith witness, simply look for: patience, love, peace, gentleness, kindness, self-controlled, joy, faith. The fruits of the Spirit are the only trustworthy markers, more than doctrinal stance or political platform, that a movement is within God’s purposes for the world. Scripture also calls out the characteristics that are not of the Kingdom of God: discord, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions (Galatians 5:20-21).
When Christians try to wield power over others, we must ask: Do their lives bear witness to the evidence of God’s work among them, the Kingdom Life of joy, patience, gentleness and kindness through their words, actions, ways of life? If not, or if they bear only selfish ambition and discord, then it is not a Christian witness.
My concern about these strident Christian voices is that, by seeking control and refusing to submit themselves to the Lord of Love, they damage the gospel of Jesus Christ, turning religion into a competition to prove who is right. And, of course, I must turn the spotlight on myself as well: do I squander the gift of this astonishing, brilliant gift of True Life by flexing muscles with spiritual preening and self-righteousness?
Let’s keep our eye on the places God is pouring forth love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, patience, self-control and faith. Let’s give our lives to the Way of Christ.
Today I pray: Jesus, show us Your Way. Order our steps to bear your kin-dom fruit of patience, gentleness, love and kindness, especially for those with whom we disagree.
© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* N. T. Wright, Mark for Everyone. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011, p. 144.
** William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark (Revised Edition). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976, p. 259.
*** T. Desmond Alexander and Brian S. Rosner, ed. The New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000, p. 222.
