Read Luke 22:63-65
Build Up or Beat Down?
The men who were guarding Jesus mocked him. They mocked him, beat him, blindfolded him and demanded he prophesy who hit him. They said many insulting things.
The first thought that came to my mind when reading this is the abuse of power. The guards had power and they abused it and mistreated Jesus. He did not deserve to be mistreated but that’s what happens when someone has power and the power is not submitted under the Lordship of God almighty. These men did whatever they wanted and showed no remorse. They never said I’m sorry! They lacked compassion and love.
Are you a person with power? Or think you have power? Or like to act like you have power? How are you around other people? When you demonstrate your power does it build people up or beat them down? Does it lack compassion and love? Do you ever feel the need to say, “I’m sorry!”
Does your power show any element of servanthood? Does your power fall under the Lordship of Jesus Christ so that it comes across with compassion, respect, and makes people feel valued and significant?
Think how our relationships would be different if we fought to have Christ’s power demonstrated through us and on to others. Lord, take away the urge to want to show our power because we feel more deserving of respect from others versus having to give that respect.
How is power demonstrated through you in your home, in your workplace, at your school, and your everyday life? Does it build people up or beat them down?
