The word “power” has a bit of a bad reputation in certain social and religious circles. It’s almost a dirty word, one that’s become synonymous with oppression. The paradox is that while we don’t typically advocate powerlessness, we aren’t sure what to think about having more power.
As we get deeper into the biblical narratives of the Advent season, we will notice competing ideas about power that call us to think about our responsibilities as leaders. On the one hand, Herod is the king. He has the power of his royal position. Herod feels threatened when he hears the rumor that a king has been born somewhere in his kingdom. He uses his power to stamp out the perceived threat — when the Magi choose not to reveal the location of Jesus’ birth, Herod launches an infanticide.
This kind of power, a force that controls through violence, shows up over and over in Scripture. We see it in the Pharaoh of Egypt and in the Babylonians. We also see it in the Pharisees’ legalistic adherence to the law.
During Advent, we get to shine a light on a different kind of power. This power is animated by the Spirit of God and embodied in Jesus of Nazareth. This power is a gift from God and must be honored and stewarded as such. Whatever power we have is to be used to advance God’s vision for the world and not merely our self-interests. Jesus’ life demonstrates a power that is expressed in serving others instead of subjugating others. Not all power is the same.
As followers of Jesus, when we step into positions of leadership, we do so to enact goodness, justice, mercy and abundance because the power belongs to God. We are stewards of that power, striving to be faithful to the God we serve.
