Power

Luke 4:14-16  Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.


In my high school when it came to athletics for many years the pattern was that you earned playing varsity by years of experience. It seemed like no one became a starter until they were a senior or at the most an experienced superior junior. When I was a senior a freshman was elevated to varsity in basketball. He was a great kid and a great talent. He might have ended up being the best athlete in Wareham history, that is debatable but he was terrific in many sports. I bring this up because when he was elevated as a freshman it did create jealousy it was like a threat to those who thought they deserved the position.


Jesus was clearly by this scripture welcomed with open arms and admired for his power and skill until some who felt threatened by his success. Power can be addictive. Even people who say that don't care about power are reluctant to surrender it. I watched some brutal behavior in churches around simple things like where to place sales table at the Christmas fair. 


You can imagine the effect Jesus had upon the religious leaders of his time as he gathered fame and did spectacular miraculous things. I know it was all part of the plan. Jesus needed to die on the cross for our sins ad this was how God was directing Jesus to get there. I think I've avoided power because I understood the cost.