Power and Authority

President Putin has been re-elected, with many claiming it was a rigged election. His popularity is much diminished, and his authority seems to be slipping too.

In Syria, it is clear that increasing numbers of people are prepared to challenge the power and authority of President Assad.

In the US, while the voting continues to find a suitable Republican candidate, questions remain as to who might have the authority to become President.

Jesus spoke clearly of these issues, when his own disciples were behaving like the Republican candidates, arguing as to which was the greatest. ' So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10.42-45)
We are so used to seeing the way power and authority are the focus of so much in the way people behave - politicians, business people, colleagues at work, family arguments and so on - that we too easily ignore what Jesus is saying. 

He practised what he preached, and we would do well, in very area of life, to follow his example. he was able to live like that because he was secure in his relationship with His Father, and prepared to pay the price of willing obedience. How about us?
Best wishes, 

Richard