In a world in which position, prestige and power are all important and therefore sought after, sometimes to the detriment and destruction of others, Jesus the King of the universe and the King of our lives took/takes a very different view and encourages us to follow in his footsteps:
‘Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!’Philippians 2: 7,8
Reflect on these verses and as you do compare Jesus’ view of power to Napoleon’s; the following are from Ridley Scott’s new film said by the self-proclaimed emperor of France:
- ‘Surprise is my advantage but I will win by fire.’
- ‘Everyone fights for what they lack.’
- ‘I follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and Caesar, as I have been sent to liberate Egypt.’
- ‘I want you to say that I am the most important thing in the world.’ [Napoleon to his wife Josephine]
- ‘I found the crown of France in the gutter, I picked it up with the tip of my sword and cleaned it up and I place it on my head.’[at his coronation]
As you read these quotes how do they make you feel; uncomfortable, sad, angry, bewildered, humoured? Are there parts of them that you may feel tempted to imitate? Have you ever used power to get your own way?
People of power give the impression that they are Somebody. The nineteenth century American evangelist, D. L. Moody noted that Moses spent:
“Forty years thinking he was somebody
Forty years learning he was nobody
Forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody.”
In the eyes of many in power at the time of Jesus, they considered him a nobody but the truth was/is very different.Prayer: thank you Lord that whilst I might think I am a nobody and some might agree with me, you see me differently. Thank you that in your kingdom humility is a key characteristic and one day the humble, the nobodies will inherit the earth
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