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.
Prince Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity
Resources
Advent feels as if it were made just for me
The season of longing encompasses both the joy and the pain of our very human desire for God, writes an author.
By Jean Neely
Advent’s surprise for us
What might happen if we greeted the season with wonder and amazement?
By Emily Lund
Breathing Space: One church’s experiment with guaranteed minimum income
A church offered a “guaranteed gift” of $500 per month for a year to two neighbor-partners as a way to respect recipients’ dignity and give them more agency.
By Rhonda Mawhood Lee
POWER puts faith into action by organizing communities for justice
A Pennsylvania-based interfaith organization pulls together people from hundreds of congregations to advocate for a safer and more just world.
By Annette John-Hall
P.S.
What’s interesting about the incarnation is that nothing God does looks like power as we typically think of it. Joseph and Mary had to give birth in a stable. The Messiah arrived as a helpless newborn baby. The power seemed to be with King Herod, who sanctioned violence that terrorized and traumatized countless families. But during this Advent season, let’s remind our folks that the power of God is revealed in unlikely and countercultural ways. Congregations are steeped in power, if we only learn how to recognize the gift that we have. We tap into God’s power by sharing with each other and with our neighbors. We unleash God’s power through acts of mercy and compassion.
God’s power is good and just. And we are called to be stewards of that power for the sake of God’s kingdom in the world. How will you use the power God gave you?
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!