Thought for Today
Numbers 11:23 The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD's power limited? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not."
Psalm 62:11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God,
Matthew 13:54 He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power?
John 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
Palm Sunday is looming on our horizon; Easter Sunday will be 1 week later. Lent, our time of anticipation and preparation, is almost over. Today, my mind has turned to thoughts about power. Who is the most powerful person in the world? Who is the most powerful person in all of history? What is the greatest power in the world? What is the greatest power in all of history?
Most of us have read or heard "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Wikipedia tells me that quote comes from “John Emerich Edward Dalbert-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, 13th Marquess of Groppoli . . . better known as Lord Acton, . . . an English Catholic historian, Liberal politician and writer.” Was Lord Acton correct?
The annals of human history are replete with powerful nations and powerful leaders. Some leaders have been despots, some dictators and some have been benevolent leaders. Some days it seems as though the bad actors have been the most powerful and are accorded the most historical attention. That is, however, I believe because we tend to judge success and failure using the wrong metrics. We judge success and failure on measures of territory, wealth, military strength and populations subjugated. Maybe the best example of that would be the Roman Empire and the various kings, emperors and Caesars who led Rome.
Lent is focused on Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary, the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus was born in a remote, tiny village in an insignificant province of the Roman Empire. “Historians agree the Caesar Agustus was one of the most successful Roman emperors. Born Gaius Octavius in 63 B.C., he reigned as emperor for 45 years, until his death in 14 A.D.” (www.learnreligions.com) Was Augustus more powerful than Jesus? He certainly had more wealth. He ruled over many nations and people. He led mighty armies (and a navy) and defeated countless enemies. Soldiers of his Roman army crucified Jesus and untold numbers of other conquered peoples. At one time, the official religion of the Roman Empire insisted that everyone within the empire make a public declaration annually that “Caesar is Lord.” Who was most powerful, Augustus or Jesus?
“The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius on 28 October AD 312 . . . According to Christian chroniclers Eusebius of Caesarea and Lactantius, the battle marked the beginning of Constantine's conversion to Christianity.” (en.wikipedia.org) Was the Roman Emperor more powerful than the Christ whom he confessed and followed?
Judaism, Christianity and Islam all believe in one God. We use different names for our supreme deity and we worship using different practices, but all 3 religions are monotheistic. Our scriptures differ, but we can all accept “Genesis 1:1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth . . .” We may not all refer to God as omniscient or omnipotent, but we all believe that God is both. Adherents of all 3 should easily accept that God is the very essence of power.
Christians, irrespective of our faith traditions or denominations know and believe in those words above from the Gospel of John. Christians, irrespective of our faith traditions or denominations also know and believe the “Why?” of it all, "3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” God is the greatest power in all Creation. God’s Son remains a greater earthly power than all the Caesars, all the Tsars, all the Kaisers, all the politicians and national leaders throughout all human history and into the future. Understanding that, Lord Acton was misspoken. He should have said, “All human power . . .”
Stay safe, accept God’s love, trust God,
Pastor Ray