Creative Love

Two Kinds of Power

The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him.

John 13:2

The betrayal of Christ by Guercino

This is a story about power. Judas betrayed Jesus, because he desired the power to control. The devil offers power to control to those who would open their heart to evil. The catch is that evil’s power always yields the same outcome: destruction and death. Judas’ received this destructive power into his heart. 

At the same time Jesus was given a different kind of power from God.

The Father had given all things into [Jesus] hands.

John 13:3

God put all things into Jesus' hands. God gives so much more than the devil. God’s power is freedom and creativity. Jesus knew the betrayal that was taking place, and God gave Jesus the freedom to respond creatively. 

Creative Power

Some years ago my wife and I went on a road trip to San Luis Obispo. This was before we had children. We visited a friend who was a student at Cal Poly. He suggested we take a day to explore The Montaña de Oro State Park on the pacific Coast. What a wonderful suggestion. We took a small hike through the coastal bluffs to the water's edge.  I was overwhelmed by the cacophony of life. Birds swooped, dived, hopped, and splashed. Little rodents burrowed into the cliffs, stuck out their heads, and carried on in social hierarchies. Sea urchins clung to the side of tide pools, and twisted as waves pounded the cliffs and sand. Grass resisted the pull of gravity and stretched toward the heavens basking in the warmth of the sun.

Punctuating the pristine ecosystem were humans like myself wearing factory outlet clothing, snapping pictures with digital cameras, and  breathing into our nostrils pungent damp sea air. How could such staggering biological diversity emerge out of the same essential elements? How can the same water, land, air, and sun give rise to a symphonic variety of ecology? It is the power of God! The devil’s power may be cunning and complex, but it yields one predictable outcome. God’s power is deceivingly and deceptively simple but yields unexpected extravagant creativity.

Jesus Loves Creatively

Jesus Washing the Feet of the Deciples

God put all this creative power into Jesus’ hands. What did Jesus do with it? He put on the clothing of a slave, got down on his hands and knees and washed his disciples’ feet. Jesus placed in his hands the feet of Judas, his betrayer. With his last hours of freedom before arrest, trial, and crucifixion Jesus paints a masterpiece of God’s love on the flesh and blood of a man bent on destruction. God’s power does not yield or bow to evil, it subverts and defies it with humble confidence.

These past few weeks of global pandemic have been staggeringly difficult for Americans and all global citizens. We have been asked to live differently than we have ever lived in our whole life. Things feel out of control! But take a minute to appreciate the creativity that God has given us. We are making due with way less than we have in a long time; spending time with each other in deeper and more intentional ways. We are working overtime just to try to survive. That is the power of God’s creativity. 

Do you know what I had for dinner last night? I don’t either! I know that it was mostly rice. I’m pretty sure I saw a mushroom in there. With enough sriracha it tasted awesome! I know this, I remember bowing my head to God and giving thanks that I had food to eat! I’m thankful that my wife was creative to put food on the table.

Love Creatively Like Jesus

So what kind of power will you choose? Control and predictability or freedom and creativity? Jesus gives a new commandment tonight. To love like he loves. A love that treasures freedom and creativity. Call it creative love. Washing feet is about loving creatively, with what you’ve got, to the people God has put in your life. Amen.