Lenten Devotions

Saturday, March 15

“Beware the Ides of March.”
William Shakespeare
Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2

Okay, bear with me a minute. As good as Shakespeare is, his work is not Scripture. I know, but I was sitting here thinking “Beware the Ides of March.” in a Julius Caesar flashback, and I’m thinking, too, that tomorrow is Palm Sunday, and I find myself making connections between the two.

Caesar was all about Roman power. Power in that world was something you fought to attain, something others would try to take from you, something you had or you didn’t. It was all about what you could make happen, who you could control. Julius Caesar was betrayed and assassinated by people who thought he had too much power.

Tomorrow, we’ll celebrate Palm Sunday. It’s the day Jesus comes riding into Jerusalem, not on a warhorse, but on a donkey. People cheer. People believe he can save them. They wave palm branches and signify their trust in him.

But in a few days who will intervene to try to save his life?

Jesus was betrayed, and Jesus was killed. He was a threat to power, but his kind of power was never really understood. He did not seek to control. He taught. He loved. He called forth the kingdom. He told us to love God with everything we have, and he told us to love other people as he loves us.

Death stopped Julius Caesar. His power was over.

Death couldn’t stop Jesus the Christ. His power is of another sort. His power comes from the God of abundant and steadfast love, and love is stronger than death.

This is a good day to rethink power.

Spiritual Practice

How do you use power? We all have it in some measure, and we all use it. What does yours look like? Do you seek to serve or to control?

These are not easy questions, and the answers will not be discerned in a moment’s reflection.

Pray about this. Listen. See if it’s something you should continue to explore.

For more information or to continue the conversation, write to Katie at katherinekinnison@covenantpcusa.org.

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