The Servant King: Power Under Control
True Christian service is not what you think.
Humility is not what you think.
The ability to serve and sacrifice genuinely begins with a settled confidence in your identity as a royal heir in the Kingdom of God. It is only from this place of security and authority that true humility can emerge—a humility defined not by weakness but by power under control.
Jesus, the ultimate Servant King, demonstrated this perfectly. He did not come to Earth as a powerless, mild-mannered man but as a King who chose to restrict the display of His authority to serve humanity, fulfill prophecy, and secure our redemption. He was fully God, fully man, and a bondslave by choice—choosing to lay down His rights, not out of necessity, but from the abundance of His authority.
As Christians, we are called to reflect this model of humility. It is not virtuous to reject power if no power is available. Humility is not weakness—it is the restraint of power for a greater purpose.
Biblical Examples of Power Under Control
• Matthew 26:51-54: When Peter draws his sword to defend Jesus, cutting off the ear of Malchus, Jesus responds:
“Put your sword back in its place; for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”
Jesus’ restraint in this moment underscores His ultimate authority. With the power of heaven at His command, He chooses submission to fulfill Scripture and redeem humanity.
• John 19:10-11: Pilate, questioning Jesus, boasts of his authority to release or crucify Him. Jesus answers:
“You would have no authority over Me at all if it had not been given to you from above.”
Even in the face of injustice, Jesus remains in control, submitting to the Father’s will, knowing His authority transcends earthly powers.
•Philippians 2:5-8: Paul reminds us to have the same mindset as Christ, who, though fully divine, “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped or asserted, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant.” Jesus’ humility came not from denying His kingship but from willingly setting aside its outward expression to identify with humanity.
