For the past few weeks, I have been listening to the story of a pastor who used his power to build his own kingdom and brand. In doing so, he left a wake of bruised and broken people and a legacy that is a lesson of what not to do. Jesus used power differently and wants us to as well. Here is a small excerpt from my book, Leading From The Middle.
Jesus has just been baptized. He is traveling and recruiting future disciples, working miracles, and speaking with such authority that all those who hear Him are amazed. This is a good time to be Jesus. The up-and-coming Rabbi is gaining traction, and with this traction comes power. When Jesus enters His hometown of Nazareth, the excitement is epic. He enters the synagogue, one He and his earthly pops, Joseph, might even have had a hand in building, and this is where our lesson begins.
"Jesus, You are the honored guest. Will you pick the scroll and read it today?"
“Hand me that one," Jesus says as He points to writings
from the prophet, Isaiah. When He opens the scroll, He begins to read (Luke 4:18-19).
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me because He has anointed Me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Rolling up the scroll, He hands it back and announces to everyone that this Scripture is happening right now in real-time in their presence. Will you take a minute to imagine what it must have been like to hear these words read by the One who was rumored to be the ONE?
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. YES!!! It is Him. Whenever the Spirit of the Lord is upon anyone, it means power. Jesus is reading the prophecy that when the ONE comes, He will have power. Imaginations are running wild now. Thousands of thoughts are coursing through the minds of the listeners. How will Jesus use His power? Deliverance? Check. Prosperity? Check. Restoration of the Law and the people of God? Check. Victory and justice for those who have died as insurrectionists nailed to a Roman cross for all to see? Check!
We are in! Check.
He (the Spirit of the Lord) has anointed Me. Yes!!! Kings are anointed. Special people are anointed. Anointing always precipitates the movement of God. Whenever the words anoint or anointed are used, it always means purpose. Jesus, in just a few seconds of reading, has whet the spiritual imagination of an oppressed people. A new Power is in town, and this power has a purpose, and this power has a name: Jesus.
Sometimes God confuses us, doesn't He? He chooses to heal some people and not others. He chooses to provide food for some people and not others. He chooses what He chooses, and His choices sometimes confuse us. (I am smiling at that sentence, by the way.)
At that moment, everything was clear to those who were listening in the Synagogue that Sabbath morning. That is until he kept reading. Look at the list:
Proclaim good news to the poor.
Proclaim freedom for the prisoners.
Provide recovery of sight for the blind.
Set the oppressed free.
Proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
"Wait a minute, Jesus. What about fighting, justice, setting the Romans back a country mile, prosperity, armies, the Law, and our rights as the "Chosen" people? Enough with this poor, prisoners, blind, and oppressed talk. You got power; use it!"
If you were to read Church history carefully for the first three hundred years, this is precisely how Jesus' followers used their power. They used their power for others so those receiving it could use their power for others, and those using their power could use it for others. Are you tracking?
Jesus didn't start ministries to the poor, but the disciples of His disciples did. "Greater things than these."
Jesus didn't start orphanages, but the disciples of His disciples did. "Greater things than these."
Jesus didn't start hospitals, but the disciples of His disciples did. "Greater things than these."
Jesus didn't fight against slavery, but the disciples of His disciples did. "Greater things than these."
Jesus didn't preach in India, Asia, Europe, or outside of Israel, but the disciples of His disciples did. "Greater things than these."
Jesus didn't rescue kids from sex trafficking, but the disciples of His disciples did. "Greater things than these."
Jesus didn't develop education for the masses, but the disciples of His disciples did. "Greater things than these."
What Jesus taught His disciples as He led from the Middle became the catalyst for what the disciples of His disciples would do. "Greater things than these."
These words are a reality, not a spiritual wish.
The amazing grace of God acts as an invitation from God to join Him in what He wants to be done in this world.