Jesus’ instructions to his followers in this week’s Gospel passage didn’t end with mustard seeds and mulberry trees. He illustrated the point with an example from domestic servanthood:
“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? Would you not rather say to him, ‘Make supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; you can eat and drink later’? Do you thank the servant for doing what was commanded?“
In another of Jesus’ teachings which we read a few weeks ago (Luke 12:37), he says just the opposite. Clearly he is making a different point this time. And that point deals with authority. He has given his followers authority over nature, sin, disease, demons – even death. (Over pretty much everything except other people with free will – which is why we can tell a mulberry tree to plant itself in the sea, but all the faith in the world can’t make governments move or people to make choices that will preserve our planet...)
Maybe Jesus is annoyed at their timidity, given the authority they have as agents of God. I believe he is saying, “You are giving your challenges and obstacles way too much power. You are in charge – act like it when you pray!” This came home to me in prayer one day, when I was pleading for Jesus to heal a beloved cat who was gravely ill – and I sensed Jesus say simply, “You heal her. I have given you the authority.” I was shocked, but began to pray in a more faithful way.
Jesus always invites his followers to be bold, not timid. We don't need to let something like a common cold disable us, when we can take our God-given authority and invite the power and love of God to flow through us to bring wholeness. That’s what God does – makes things whole. We don't need to feel powerless over social systems that reinforce injustice; we can ask how God would have us exercise our faith with the Holy Spirit in that realm.
Where are you being invited to take authority in your life? It might be over a personal matter; it might be something in the natural order, or an illness or injury. You might say, "Lord, let your power flow through me.” And if necessary, like the disciples, “Increase my faith.”
We don’t have to take authority in a “large and in charge” kind of way. We don’t have to be negative about the obstacles – we can simply stand firm in the power and love of God, unequivocal in our faith that God is in charge and God is at work through our prayers.
The only thing we can do wrong thing is not pray, to shrug our shoulders and walk away, going, “Oh well, that’s bigger than me.” It may be bigger than you and me, but it ain’t bigger than the God who made us.
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