Jesus redefined power

Why is Jesus remembered 2000 years after his death? One of the reasons is because he redefined power. Power during the time of Jesus was always achieved by violence and control of people. Kingdoms became powerful by pillaging and assimilating smaller, weaker countries. Priority number one was to make sure you had yours. Climb over others on the ladder of success if necessary. Avoid the poor, dirty, smelly folks because they're bad for your brand.

Then from a small town in Israel comes along a guy saying that we should love our enemies. We should make it a priority to take care of the poor. We should invite the unpopular, socially awkward folks to dinner before the powerful, who's who of our town. Love is the only law.

This whole "servant attitude" wasn't too popular with the power brokers that built their kingdom on control or violence, so they killed him. But before they killed him, he forgave them. And then he came back (without a gun) to offer some departing wisdom on how self-sacrifice -- as shown in his final act on the cross -- is really what the hokey pokey is all about.

Jesus forgiving his enemies revealed that their futile violent ways were overcome by the truth of unconditional love. Love wins. Jesus showed humanity what God is really like -- he loves and forgives EVERYONE, no matter if they're the director of the city's largest orphanage or they're putting to death the town's beloved pastor. He loves us where we are at, and simply wants us to trust him that this is true (and that his way is best). This is unconditional love. Love is the only power that can truly unite. Power by control and violence will always create attitudes of making sure you get yours by control and/or violence, no matter how it impacts others.

Serving others, not controlling others is the example that Jesus left us. Everyone is our brother and sister. When we refuse to recognize everyone as our brother and sister, we don't concern ourselves with making sure that everyone is fed. When we treat each person as our brother and sister, our community is healthy, and God's will is being done.