Created for God’s Glory
But now, this is what the LORD says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine… For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem teaches and reminds us that both the leader and the led were created for God’s glory. We celebrate the fulfillment of prophecy. We celebrate the coming King. We celebrate with an old song with fresh meaning. We celebrate the dawn of a new era. As we did last year, on this Palm Sunday we remember the fulfillment of several Scriptures, and we take opportunity to reflect on stewardship of power. Remember the donkey, the ‘King’ approaching, excited crowds, decorated streets, singing children, indignant elders, unstoppable euphoria, mixed expectations! Luke records that the whole crowds following him were loudly rejoicing and praising God for all the mighty works that they had seen. And they were expecting more.
A litany of fulfilled Scriptures on the Palm Sunday event is easy to draw, including sections of Ps 118 and Zech 9, but for this brief space, we turn to the reason why we were created, as made clear in Isaiah 43. God himself speaks about those He cares about, and the purpose he created them: “everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory” (Isaiah 43:7). God promises redemption and deliverance from a captivity that today is represented by this world of suffering and temptation. Jesus exemplified this deliverance by his life and ministry on earth, and better still by his humble royal approach. The most powerful King came in unlikely manner – humbly riding on a colt, and without the expected armed security detail. When it comes to power today, we don’t see as much humility and righteousness, yet stewardship teaches us that it is delegated authority, for God’s glory. Without the virtues of stewardship, humility and righteousness, power is misused and abused.
Those who do not possess the three virtues tend to get drunk with power. But, as Timothy Keller notes, when human beings try to become more than human beings, to be as gods, they fall to become lower than human beings – a great irony of sin! This is well exemplified in fallen giants like Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Bloody Mary of England, Maximilien of France, Idi Amin of Uganda, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, and many many others. Many of those hide their insecurity and the fear of powerlessness in selfish ruthless and exploitative operations to keep themselves up in power.
In his life Jesus shows the excellent example of power stewardship. In order to be a good steward of power, glorify God and cause others to glorify God as they enjoy your leadership. Use your power for the good of others, not to exploit. Honour Jesus Christ truly as King, and serve Him with all your heart. God bless you all.