Power that Looks Like Jesus - Tuesday, 08/04/2026
Power That Looks Like Jesus
Scripture
James and John ask Jesus for positions of honor in his kingdom.
They imagine power the way most people do: recognition, influence, authority, and a place near the top.
Jesus responds by describing two very different kinds of power.
The rulers of the nations “lord it over” others. They use authority to control, dominate, and protect their place.
“But it is not so among you,” Jesus says.
In God’s kingdom, greatness looks like service. Power is used to lift others rather than elevate ourselves. Jesus points to his own life: he came not to be served, but to serve and to give himself for others.
When we pray, “Thine is the power,” we are not praising raw force. We are praising the power revealed in Jesus.
It is the power to heal rather than wound.
To forgive rather than retaliate.
To serve rather than dominate.
To tell the truth without cruelty.
To give ourselves in love.
We often feel powerless because we cannot control another person, fix every problem, or change the whole world. But the power of Christ is still available to us.
We have power to listen.
Power to serve.
Power to speak courageously.
Power to interrupt harm.
Power to offer mercy.
Power to take the next faithful step.
God’s power may not always look impressive, but it can change a life.
Practice
Ask:
“Where do I have influence today?”
Choose one way to use that influence to serve, encourage, protect, include, or lift someone else.
Prayer
Christ our servant,
reshape my understanding of power. Keep me from using influence to control or elevate myself. Give me strength to serve, courage to protect the vulnerable, and humility to use what I have for the good of others. For the power is yours. Amen.