The Texas Tea

Recently, I have been thinking a lot about power. It seems to me that much of our public discourse these days revolves around power. Who has it, who should have it, how can I/we (my group) get it, how can I/we (my group) keep it. How can I/we (my group) exert power over others to make them do what I/we (my group) would like them to do. It seems to me that this obsession with power is rooted in fear. Fear of the “other”, fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of……….(you fill in the blank). 

As I sit down to write this it is the beginning of Holy Week. My mind is drawn to the events leading to what we know as Good Friday and Easter. I am specifically reminded of the Last Supper and what we can learn there about how Jesus viewed power. In John chapter 13 we read about the time of the Passover festival as Jesus and his disciples had gathered for a meal.

Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave the world. The passage goes on…..”Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:3-5 

Later, when he had finished washing the disciples’ feet Jesus asked them “…Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:12b-17.

Did you catch what verse 3 says…..Jesus knew the power he had. He knew who he was and what he was going to do and knowing that power he set an example for us of what to do with such power. It is not to be clung to or fought over. It is to be used in service to others. So as we approach Good Friday and Easter my hope and prayer is that we will remember Jesus’ example. That we will stop our fighting over power and start putting our energy into how we can serve others. Even and especially the “least of these.”

-Michael Murray, Regional Director of Fuller Texas