I had a dream the other night. It was an amazing dream. I was sitting in a committee meeting and we were discussing once again an idea that we had been discussing for the last four years. I’m sure that doesn't occur in your meetings, but it does in mine. And the meeting within the dream went something like this:
“Yes I think we should hold a pastor’s retreat for the entire synod. What will the subject be?” Pastor A pondered.
“Well, three years ago, when you were last a member on this committee, didn’t you mention spiritual renewal as an idea for the retreat?” Pastor B yawned.
“That’s a good idea. Pastors get so tired of meetings all day. They need something refreshing. They need something to revive their ministry. They don’t need another meeting,” Pastor A yawned back.
“Will you please set up a subcommittee for next month to discuss it,” Pastor B moved.
“I guess that would be the best…”
And with that the door burst open with a large force of air, sending snow swirling around the room. Jesus stepped in, wearing his white robe and some snow boots with fake fur trim.
He looked at the pastors, who were amazingly still yawning. Somehow they were not amazed at Jesus entrance. It was as if they had spent so much time talking about the guy, that they were numb to his actual presence.
“Get up. Be refreshed. Go from here and be my people.” Jesus commanded.
Immediately, the room warmed and the yawning stopped. The pastors got up, got into Pastor A’s car, and drove to a friend’s house; a pastor whom they knew was struggling, hurt, tired, and needed some renewal himself. There was no need for a committee.
I woke up. The dream was amazing. Jesus did more than join the debate; he made it happen. His words had authority and they freed people to do something great and good.
When Jesus came to the synagogue and found the man plagued by an unclean spirit, he did more than alert the council that they better consider at their next meeting what to do about this guy who keeps disrupting worship service. He did not create a subcommittee to deal with the guy and ask him nicely to leave and not return. Instead, he spoke words that freed the man from the torment of voices speaking nonsense within.
The word of Jesus is powerful. It is more than frozen contemplation and debate. It is a word that is warm and alive. It heals the sick. It offers freedom to those who are stuck in life. It is a word that has the power to move.
Certainly, others seem to have similar words of power. The president can say one word and an entire army of people will shift from one continent to another. A jury can decide whether a man lives or dies and it happens according to the words they speak. A committee can decide whether or not to hire you. In my case as a pastor, a committee can decide whether or not you can become a pastor after eight years of post high school education. Just one word from one member of the committee, “No,” can send your eight years down the drain.
Some people’s words allow them to exert authority “over” other people. Their authority is intended to control others. Jesus' authority is quite different. Jesus’ authority is for the sake of others. Jesus’ words are for the good of those he encounters. He had no power to control armies and did not wish to control people’s careers. For example, when he spoke the words:
You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the (high) council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.
He is not trying to exert his power over us so that we will not murder. Instead, he is inviting us to free ourselves from the things that lead to the horrible end we call murder. His words seek to free us from continual anger. His words seek to free us from insults resulting from jealousy. He seeks to protect people from flippant remarks of the tongue such as “you’re stupid.” These words seem to exert no power at all but have the potential the send another person down a terrible path in life.
Jesus does not use his words to control. Jesus does use his power to free us from the trappings of our lives so that we can also, get up, walk out the door, and serve the Lord the way we were created to do. So, what are you doing? Be healed. Be freed. Get up, go in peace, and serve the Lord.
All Scripture quotes are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyrighted, 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and is used by permission. All rights reserved.
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