Jesus Loves Power

God intends for His Son Jesus to be King and for us to reign with Him. Stunningly, we little people end up ruling the New Creation with Christ.

Here’s an astonishing example from Revelation 3:21; “To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Christ reigns and thus we will too. This is a vast theme across scripture connected back to God’s gift of dominion to Adam and Eve.

Two observations: First, there is an inescapable hierarchy about creation that God loves. The Kingdom of God is not a flat communist utopia. Power, rule, thrones, headship, authority and office are realities that God preserves as redemption flows far as the curse is found. Because women, children, migrants, peasants, the disabled and the different are so often devastated by hierarchy in our world, we sometimes assume God must abolish all power and rule to establish His Kingdom. But if rule is evil, it’s also wrong for God. The Bible promises not less but a happier hierarchy in the new Earth, not anarchy but a blessed order to things.

Secondly, though, look at what Jesus does with the throne-power given Him by His Father in Revelation 3:21. He uses that authority to draw the lowly wretched of the earth, His suffering saints up there to sit beside Him! The Father draws the Son up to the throne beside Him (that’s the Trinity dramatized) so that the Son can draw the saints up to sit with them both. Authority in the Kingdom of Heaven is not jealously guarded and defended; it’s eagerly shared with others. It’s a mind-bending truth: the more glory, honor and power the Father has (Revelation 4:11), the more power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing the Son has (Revelation 5:12), the more His servants “will reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:5)”. There are no zero-sum calculations with divine power.

But that is so contrary to our sinful bent! I remember a game we used to play on snow-piles in my childhood. Everyone would punch and shove to gain the sole perch atop the hill, and then the king would chant, I’M THE KING OF THE CASTLE AND YOU’RE THE DIRTY RASCAL! while kicking usurpers back down the pile. It’s great fun in a game, but a bloody wretchedness in real life.

So here is the hard question: What are you using your power for in your church, family or workplace? Are you using your power, privilege, office, and headship to draw others up beside you? Or are you using your power to push people down the hill, establishing your place as the one in charge? There is nothing wrong with being at the top; but is your power giving others power?

If you love power the way Jesus loves power, you will be using every ounce of your authority to make the people around you stronger, more confident, better paid, more listened to, and more equipped to rule in the way Jesus is inviting them to rule with Him. Jesus wants women, children, migrants, peasants, the disabled and the different up on the throne with Him. Do they feel bigger, more secure and more important around you?

If so, you are beginning to reign with Christ.

Layton Friesen, PhD

Academic Dean, Professor - Bible & Theology

Steinbach Bible College, Manitoba

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This article was originally published in the Recorder Vol 62, No. 4