Relationships RestoredSample

We read in Revelation 21 that God has planned a new earth and a new heaven where Jesus will live with his people as our King. He will bring comfort to the sad, heal pain, and bring an end to death and mourning. There will be no place in this new earth for those motivated by evil. It will be a place of glorious beauty.

What a wonderful vision to encourage those of us who are struggling today. We, who have problems in our family lives,  hurting because we lack money, food, work or housing, or living in fear of abuse or violence. 

For very many people in our world today, life is very difficult. Most situations where people suffer injustice and are not allowed to live with dignity are the result of power being used for the wrong reasons. 

Those who are given power and authority should use their power for the benefit of others. However, power can be used poorly or abused – through lack of care, corruption or for personal gain. Injustice can occur when those with power neglect to carry out their responsibilities, or influence others to act in certain ways. 

In the fall of humanity, we see a moment in which people grasp for more power than God has given them (Genesis 3:5). From this fall, the improper use of power is often seen in accounts of broken relationships, injustice, and conflict in the Bible: in Cain’s violent use of physical power over Abel, Rebecca and Jacob’s desire for the power and authority that the oldest son inherits, Pharaoh’s exercise of power over the Israelites. In the New Testament, we see Jesus criticizing the Pharisees’ love of their position of power and dealing with James and John’s request that they be allowed to sit at his right and left hand in glory. This creates bad feelings among the disciples until Jesus tells them that, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” 

Jesus did not put stock in the privilege and status that humans often associate with power. Instead, as Christians, we are called to serve others, and we reveal the kingdom of God when we use our power to secure justice and peace for others.

Reflect:

Seeking justice can be a slow, even painstaking process. It can be even more challenging when power is used poorly and those in authority act with corruption and deception. But no suffering or injustice goes unnoticed by God.

Pray:

Lord, I thank you for giving freely and generously. Show me ways to share what has been given to me to help others have more just lives. Help me use my power to serve others, so that justice and peace may belong to all, as you intended by dying for every one of us. Amen.