The history of the kings of Israel is like a textbook for the study of power and its abuses. Saul was chosen by God and anointed by Samuel as king of Israel but by the end of his reign he was a crazed and murderous tyrant. David was filled with such promise — he was truly “the apple of God’s eye.” But there was no sin that he did not commit, among them abuse of power, deceit, murder and adultery. Most of his descendants on the throne were far worse, some of them actually leading Israel into idolatry and infidelity.
In the first book of Samuel, the Israelites had asked Samuel to give them a king like the surrounding nations. He was aghast, and God correctly observed that they were in a sense rejecting Him rather than Samuel. Up until that time, Israel had been ruled by a loose confederation of tribes and the observance of the covenant. In a sense, God was their leader — they needed no such king as the pagans had. God warned them that having a king would be the start of misery and oppression, and that certainly came to pass. People give away their freedom and responsibility all too easily and quickly.
Dictatorial leaders and political ideologies can exercise a malign and mesmerizing influence on those uncomfortable with ambiguity, uncertainty and the hard work of navigating day-to-day difficulties. In the end, they or others always pay the price. Power is legitimate only when it is exercised zealously for the common good and the well-being of those governed. This applies in the political, economic and religious spheres of human activity, and in any situation where a few have power over the many.
The image of the ruling Christ in Colossians is not that of a tyrant but a cosmic unifier and reconciler. Power structures and ideologies often exercise power in their own right and even claim the sort of allegiance that is only proper to God. Through the blood of the Cross, Christ placed all creation with its forms of power in correct relationship and harmony.
Christ offers us freedom from earthly oppression and subservience, as well as a place in the kingdom of light. Unfortunately, there are countless instances of Christians taking the road back into darkness and enslavement — and even disguising it with religious language.
Kingly power is meant to be used for one’s advantage, is it not? At least that was the assumption of the crowd and the first bandit crucified next to Jesus. If you are a king — if you are who you claim to be — then save yourself! It was certainly within the power of Jesus to do so, but He refused to play the game of earthly power. To exercise His power in this fashion would have compromised His entire mission. He was manifesting a different sort of power — the power that results from being in perfect harmony with God. Jesus was on the cross because He wanted to complete the mission that He had received from God the Father. God willed not the death of Jesus but His total fidelity and obedience.
His mission was to teach humanity a way of living that was both human and divine. Jesus was crucified because of the threat His teachings were to those in power then and in all times and places. By His refusal to resort to violence and force and His forgiveness of all Jesus modeled divine power for humanity — the power of love and sacrifice.
Our own world is in love with sabre rattling, threats, violence and abuses of power that crush the human spirit. Only by taking Jesus’ understanding of power seriously and applying it in concrete situations can we find our way out of the darkness we have created. Jesus is indeed a king — but a humble, non-violent and crucified one.