With today's devotion, we mark the half-way point in the 40 day season of Lent. Christ's journey to the cross intensifies, as the chief priests and the elders condemn Jesus to death for blasphemy. It will be up to Pilate, the Roman governor, to approve that decision.
Whether we like to admit it or not, power, position, and possessions do play a role in our lives. There are those with the 3 "P's" that might control and/or intimidate others by what they have. Those with lesser of the 3 "P's" must deal with those that have more. Back on Day 9 we read how Jesus addressed this saying, "the greatest among you must be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." Whatever our power, position, or possessions, they are to be used in service of others.
In the months before I was called to Our Saviour's, I was without a congregation for a time. Having served my former church for over 20 years, and having an internal sense that God had something more in store for me, I took time off to discern what that might be. The comfortable 3 "P's" I had established over those years, were suddenly altered significantly. It was unsettling, but it also made me trust God in ways I had not needed to do in some time and opened me up to new possibilities.
I think it's healthy for me to struggle and not become too complacent about my 3 "P's" The Jewish council had allowed their 3 "P's" to become more important than the God they were called to serve. They could not see in Jesus the new possibilities that he was about to bring. May my 3 "P's" never lead me from God and may I always use what I have for our Lord's service.
I have always been leery of those who wield their power, possessions and position to either persuade or control others. At an early age I experienced a teacher using their power in an unfair way (of course it was not in my favor). I have since watched closely my supervisors as some of them use their position over others to make themselves look better, more important. I have tried to model myself after the managers that utilized their position and power to create a better work environment. Everything that Jesus teaches us encourages us to make life better for others by following Him and His example. As I go forth today it is my prayer that I might make someone's day a little brighter because Christ makes my life better.
ReplyDeleteAn article written by a student at The Vine Institute told about the transforming experience of an American who has been exposed to a multitude of cultures. This person realized that we have a culture of "entitlement" so subtle that it becomes part of our belief system. We see power, possessions and position as "rights". This is the opposite of the message of grace that we teach. What an important message, Pastor, that our 3 "Ps" are only of value when we use them for our Lord's service.
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