Today's Scripture Reading (July 22, 2022): Psalm 110
In "The Republic," Plato writes, "The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be
ruled by someone inferior to yourself." I must admit that the fear of what
someone else might do is the one thing that tends to get me involved in
politics and political discussions. We vote in defense of what we think is right.
And if we have the opportunity to achieve any political office, the fear of
what someone else might do in that position keeps us driving forward to obtain
the goal.
But Plato's words are also true for all who
hold unofficial positions of power. I believe that we are all leaders and that
God has given us circles of influence over which we have the possibility of
making an impact. Maybe it is a group of friends or part of your family, but
there is someone who listens to what you have to say and is shaped by your
words. And so, we have a choice. We can make an impact on our circles of
influence, or we can allow someone else to make the difference. And that can
sometimes be a big gamble.
David argues that God would
extend Israel's mighty scepter from Zion, commanding Israel to rule amid her enemies. The King James Version translates "your mighty scepter" into "rod of your strength." The idea is that Israel would rule over the entire
world, ruling even over the enemies that surrounded (were in the
circle of influence) the nation. Of course, God's idea of rule is a little different from ours. He instructs that we should rule by serving and undertaking even our serving with
much love and compassion instead of
bitterness and impatience. We should be the stimulus that allows those around us to be the best they can be. It is
the way that God exercises his dominion over us.
Theologians have had several
ideas about what this "mighty scepter" or "rod of your strength" might be. British Methodist Theologian Adam Clarke
(1762-1832) stands among those who believe that David's mighty scepter is really the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
"The Gospel –
the doctrine of Christ crucified; which is the powerful sceptre
of the Lord that bought us; is quick and powerful, sharper
than any two-edged sword; and is the power of God to salvation to all
them that believe" (Adam Clarke).
The Messiah, described in
the Gospel of Jesus Christ, instructs us that we are to rule by loving, even among
our enemies. We are the ones who are mandated to pray for those who persecute
us. It is something that we seem to forget. We seem to try to get our way
instead of loving those who oppose us. It is a way that is beneath all of us
who call ourselves Christian and who possess the "mighty scepter,"
the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading:
Psalm 122 & 123
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