When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.” For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened. As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. “Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!
Matthew 14:1-21 NLT
These two stories are both about power. Herod was so worried about losing his power and reputation that he murdered John the Baptist, a godly man who dared to speak the truth. When Jesus heard the tragic news, He took the time to grieve and pray. Yet He saw a huge crowd and had compassion on them; He fed over 5,000 people with His power. He challenged the disciples to feed the people: they had the power—with Christ—to do it; they just didn't realize it (yet). Jesus was training them to change the world with His power, not their own. Christ fed them all, showing His unending power.
Human history is scarred with the stories of the struggle for power; we frantically try to create power with friction. Jesus shows a different way: give up the power struggle and plug into the unending power of God. You won't play the manipulation games of the world, and for that they may hate you. But you will experience the power of God in your life. Draw near to Him, even in your times of grief, and you will experience His power for life.
Honestly, are you trying to gain power through closeness with Christ, or through manipulation, strategy, or personality? How have you experienced the impact of Christ’s power in serving others?
