Thursday 4 September 2008

In a world in love with coercive power Stanley Hauerwas offers something to consider.

...Jesus' whole life, as narratively depicted in the Gospels, is a life of power that is possible only for one possessed by the power of God. But such a power, exactly because it is a genuine and truthful power, does not serve by forcing itself on others. thus he "calls" the disciples and teaches them to be faithful, but he does not try to control their responses. He knows that the form of power which results from our being dispossessed of the powers currently holding our lives can come only as we freely give up those things and goods that possess us. But we do not dispossess ourselves just by our willing, but by being offered a way of selfless power. Thus Jesus finally goes to his death not knowing what the future behavior of the disciples might be or their ultimate fate. He dies out of obedience and entrusts the future to God.

What an important word to hear about Jesus: "he does not try to control (the disciples) response." Too often religious leaders and religious communities do try to control. Too often we are being told that you must do this or be like that in order to be one of the 'really' faithful ones. What Jesus does is what we are invited to do, move forward with the vision of God's Reign within us in such a way that it directs our lives without there having to be rigid controls that force people into boxes...which has nothing to do with being faithful. The power of the resurrection is a power that frees us from all the powers that attempt to control us - even religious power. The power of God is a power that makes things new. Thus we use words like new creation. The future is already waiting us to begin to live within it and we are encouraged to let go and live.

Connection: How does this life of power that comes from our God inform our servanthood and our willingness to leap into God's future? I think it is in the most basic elements of our lives.

Within you Reign, O God, you have opened up a life that is full of possibilities that invite us to leave behind what we want the world to be and grasp hold of what you have promised in Jesus. Grant us the power that opens us that life. Amen.