The Politics of Power

Power is the ability to influence reality, and everyone has it. While Solomon had more power than any of us today, each of us exercises multiple forms of power every day. Pete Scazzero names six of them: Positional, Personal, Representative (or "God factor" power in ministry), Projected, Relational and Cultural. Solomon exercises various forms of power in his relationships with Hiram and Pharaoh, in his administration of Israelite land and labor, and in his religious leadership. In each case, the person of Jesus shows us a better way: laying down our power in order to empower others.