What about Rule, Power and Authority?

The second of the temptations that may have deflected Jesus from establishing new humanity is about power and authority. The people were expecting a Messiah who would defeat all other nations and become ruler of Israel, the dominant nation. Mary in her prayer song called the Magnificat, prophesies that her son will bring down rulers. This could have become a seductive aspect of the role, as highlighted by the devil, but how does God intend authority to operate?

In this temptation the devil offers Jesus a short cut to achieve this. He claims to have authority over the nations and thus has this within his gift. Is he telling a lie? In John’s gospel, Jesus refers to the devil as ‘the ruler of this world’ even though it is for a temporary period. Paul uses the phrase ‘the Prince of the Power of the Air’. Paul attributes the devils’ power to be sourced from sin. He goes on to say how Jesus has saved us from this power and seated us with him.

What authority do nations have?

Luke sets out in detail the people who held authority when Jesus entered the scene, firstly the ruler from Rome and then the local governors. In the world Jesus entered there were nations with rulers holding power and authority.

Adam, son of God

In the creation song, God gives authority to the ‘Adam’ humanity to rule. When this humanity becomes disobedient, sin results in the devil (serpent) gaining power over it, described as ‘you shall bruise him on the heel’. This passage also prophesies a more decisive action of man crushing the devils’ head, brought about by Jesus and the church.

The Genesis songs illustrate the devils’ power to cause destruction through sin. It describes sin as a crouching animal waiting to devour Cain. He has to master it but cannot, resulting in the murder of Abel.

The passage in Luke describes how Jesus does master sin and the devil, by obedience to his Father expressed in worship. In Jesus, we can resist the devil.

Israel, son of God

The stories of the flood and Babel illustrate how sin was damaging mankind. So God decided to establish a nation as a demonstration to the world of how humanity should live. Israel, sadly, did not fulfil this calling, preferring to become like the other nations.

Daniel interprets a dream for the king of the top nation at that time and confirms that they have God-given authority for a period. He describes these nations that have authority for a time as grotesque animals, being oppressive and brutal. Later in the same chapter he contrasts these with the kingdom of the Son of Man. Revelation chapter 13 similarly describes these nations as beasts, with the devils’ destructive power. In contrast Jesus, the Son of God, brings in a kingdom that expresses new humanity.

Jesus, Son of God

Worship is the foundation for this new kingdom. The source of power and authority is worship. This is the subject of the devils’ temptation.

How is this new kingdom established and sustained?
Worship here means service, respect and trust. It is a free choice, an unconditional response, a sacrifice. Adam and Israel chose not to trust God. In contrast, Jesus does. Zachariah, an Old Testament prophet states that building God’s way is “not by might nor by power …” but by God’s Spirit. Kingdom, as expressed by church, is people choosing to accept and let God reign, willingly letting His will prevail.

This kingdom is completely different from the approach of nations.  Jesus doesn’t grasp a kingdom but preaches it, inviting people to enter it willingly. The kingdom is advanced through serving and not by grasping and wielding power or authority.