The Government is on His Shoulders

Isaiah, the prophet, lists the names by which the messiah will be known and gives us a job description as well. Among the tasks assigned to him is bearing the government upon his shoulders. We learn in the New Testament that indeed he is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God.

Those who have risen to become a chief executive often comment that there was a weight that settled upon them when they took office. Anyone who has had a degree of authority in life knows the burden of responsibility. Can we begin to imagine what carrying the nations upon oneself must be like?

Jesus affirmed that all authority in heaven and upon the earth had been given to him. What does one do with such authority? Recent political scandals indicate that finite, selfish, and fallen men often abuse such power for personal gain and temporal influence. Jesus took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, bent down, and began to wash feet, assuming the role of a servant.

How many of us would even think to do this? It's the time of year for the Publishers' Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. When the commercials show the unsuspecting winner receiving the million dollar check, ones mind rushes to answer the question, “What would I do with all that money?” Likewise we might ask the same about unlimited power.

Jesus received it as the Son of Man and knew in advance what he would do. “I have come to minister, not to be ministered unto,” he said. This becomes the theme statement in Mark's Gospel. That first written gospel shows him to be just such a man of action. The key word is straightway or immediately. There was no hesitation in Jesus. He did his assignment and jumped to fulfill the task, teaching, healing, comforting, feeding, and dieing.

The question for us is do we know our task and are we ready to immediately do it? Man's chief purpose is to serve God, says the prophet, and enjoy him forever. Most are up for the enjoyment part, but that follows the serving part. What rests on your shoulders? That's what God has given us the authority to carry out.

The Psalm says to serve the Lord with gladness. Rejoice today that you have been assigned a task for the King. He who carries the government upon his shoulders will help us to carry your load. The Truth Matters.