Power-ful living

 Acts 16:16-34; John 17:20-26; Luke 24:44-53

 

Our stories today are about power, varying types of power. What does it mean to be powerful? Some would say it means to have authority, such as a king or queen, or president. Some would say it means to have so much wealth you don’t care what people say about you.

 The enslaved girl has the power of divination. It is thought that she has the spirit of the oracle at Delphi, which includes the power of seeing into the future. She has some power as a person, but she is controlled by a spirit, and “owned” by someone.

She uses her power – or is used by the spirit within her – to harass the Apostles Paul and Silas. Eventually, Paul is exasperated by her harassment and banishes the demon. Now, the girl has lost her value to the “owners”. What will they do with her? The story doesn’t say. Perhaps Paul and Silas bring her into the Jesus Way. Perhaps the “owners” send her to do the dishes.

 

The “owners” of the girl have power over her, because they say where and when she will appear. They control the purse – the girl offers “fortunes” after the person pays the “owners”. But the “owners” are now angry at their lost income, and use their political power to get Paul and Silas in trouble. Accused of causing an insurrection, they have Paul and Silas beaten and jailed.

 
Now … it is the jailer who has the power. But he only holds power as long as he keeps every prisoner in place, in their own cells. He knows his life is at risk when God’s power causes an earthquake. Paul uses assures the jailer that everyone is right where they belong, and no harm will come to him.

 

However, the jailer is still afraid those above him in authority – those who have power over him - will accuse him of causing the earthquake, or fire him because the prisoners have to be relocated and the prison rebuilt. He wants to be saved from such trouble. Or maybe … he is truly interested in knowing what Paul and Silas are preaching and teaching and singing about, and he wants to be saved spiritually. He wants access to the power the disciples have. He and his household gain the power of belief in Jesus.

Jesus tells the disciples, and us today, that they will have power by remaining united. It doesn’t mean that they have to agree on everything, but their guiding message is to “love one another as Jesus has loved them.” There is power in love. There is power in loving and in being loved, and it is love that brings about unity, even when it doesn’t bring about uniformity.

 

It's important to remember that after Jesus’ resurrection he spent 40 days appearing to the disciples at various times and places. I believe it was to help the disciples get ready for spreading the news of the resurrection in the days and years to come.

 At the end of the 40 days, Jesus ascended into heaven and reunited with the Godhead. There, as we say in the Apostles’ Creed, he is “seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.” Jesus has ascended, he has divine power restored to him. And perhaps God has a better understanding of what it is like to be human.

 

Jesus has the power to be in the Uvalde classroom with the children and teachers, and in the Buffalo grocery store, and in the Pulse Night Club in 2016, and in all the other places where guns have been used to harm others. He was with those who were being murdered, and also with those who were in so much pain they felt they had no choice but to pull the trigger. Jesus is with those in Ukraine and Sudan and Somalia and Afghanistan. And in the homes of those who are hungry every day, right here in Marion Oaks. 

So, what about us? If we believe in Jesus, we have access to his power because of his love for us.

We have the power to tell others about Jesus’ love and forgiveness, and bring them healing.

We have the power to advocate for justice for all in our communities, as well as for protection for all that God created. Perhaps this week you will advocate for laws that reduce gun violence.

When we connect with God’s power, we are powerful. In fact, we are power-ful. What will you do today with all that power?