Power

Luke 9:6-22 (The Message)

Commissioned, they left.

They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went.

Herod, the ruler, heard of these goings on and didn't know what to think.

There were people saying John had come back from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up. Herod said, "But I killed John—took off his head. So who is this that I keep hearing about?"

Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action.

The apostles returned and reported on what they had done.

Jesus took them away, off by themselves, near the town called Bethsaida.

But the crowds got wind of it and followed. Jesus graciously welcomed them and talked to them about the kingdom of God. Those who needed healing, he healed.

Today's passage from Luke moves the "plot" of the Gospel story forward.

We begin to glimpse a window into Jesus' interaction with the ruling authority. He is drawing Herod's attention. As an aside, we also learn that John the Baptist has now lost his head for "The Message."

A quiet, gentle, powerful revolution is taking root. "The Kingdom" is proclaimed, the sick are healed, the poor are empowered...and authority is threatened.

Revolution was never Jesus' intention. He is not threatened by civil authority and its "power." At the same time, he does not set out to be a threat, either.

He simply loves God's people, and carries out his mission to the lost and broken.

Maybe we're learning that love is a pretty radical act. It is a magnetic force.

It is the opposite of fear.

Even as he withdrew for meditation and spiritual sustenance, the crowds were drawn to him. He struggled to balance a time for quiet reflection and a time for powerful action, but he never failed to love.

May our way in the world be exactly the same.

Prayer: Teach us your ways and heart, our God. May we learn the confidence that allows true love to flourish. May we learn to withdraw into your presence, and also engage fully in the world. May we be conduits of your love, unafraid of any consequence.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.