Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Powerful People

John 9:35-41 Jesus heard that they had cast him outand having found him he saidDo you believe in the Son of man?” He answered, “And who is hesirthat I may believe in him?” Jesus said to himYou have seen himand it is he who speaks to you.” He said, “LordI believe”; and he worshiped him. Jesus saidFor judgment I came into this worldthat those who do not see may seeand that those who see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard thisand they said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to themIf you were blindyou would have no guiltbut now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.


 It seems so clear that those with power did not want to give up power. They kept trying at every turn to trap him with his words, or to enflame a crowd with claims that he was blasphemous. He was not violent enough for the zealots, or showy enough for the pharisees, and theologically offensive to the sadducees. The real issue however was how to hold or get power. The need was to minimize the good that Jesus did and maximize anything that might be seen as a problem.


As I read history and watch it being made today I don't find humanity acting any different or any better. I taught middle school for 26 years and it doesn't just start when people become adults. People seem to be looking for an edge to at least see themselves having power over something or someone else. 


Jesus said over and over again the first shall be last and the last shall be first. He said you call me master and so I am, but I your master came to serve not to be served. He said i give you an example so that you may do likewise. How can we get it so wrong?

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