"Power"
Luke 19:1-10 and John 12:1-8
Yonce Shelton, Westmoreland UCC
April 6, 2025
Hey kids, anyone want to climb like Zacchaeus? There aren’t any trees in here, but if it's OK with your parents, see if you can climb up here with me.
What do you see? Do you feel like Zacchaeus? Like it up here?! Give you a sense of power?! Or transform what you think of these people you see each week?! I wonder what Zacchaeus was thinking. Any adults want to try?
In this story, Zacchaeus “experienced a reversal - a transformation of [his] identity and purpose. … Jesus says ‘Today salvation has come to this house,’ emphasizing a moment of transformation after Zacchaeus’ repentance. The present tense used here may be best understood as an expression of Zacchaeus’s determination: I share what I have today, not tomorrow.”1
Zacchaeus had money. He had power. And because of Jesus, he chose to do something new with it. He offered what, perhaps, he valued above all else; that which gave him a sense of identity and power. He knew there was a greater power - and he responded by reorienting his power.
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What do we value most? What power do we have? What do we do with it?
Our kids - and us - really value things. Toys come in a range of shapes and sizes, including shiny objects that fit in our palms and give us access - and power. As we age, we learn to value power and control more. We learn how to use our personalities, status, positions, and earnings to maintain a way of life. That's not bad. Those efforts help us make it in the world and care for family and others. Ideally, they provide stability that allows us to think beyond ourselves.
If we are driven to create a world of justice for all, we should ask: How do I use my power for good?
Zacchaeus came to understand power differently - that his power was nothing compared to Jesus’. In the passage we just heard, Mary had a similar understanding as she “took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.” This was a radical act for several reasons.
First, the price of this perfume was about a year’s salary. Imagine that: spending your salary for a year on something that is used once, and not even on yourself. Second, “Jesus is anointed (given power) by a woman from the countryside, from the working class, from the laity. Only men were supposed to anoint other men.”2 Finally, “this was an act that exemplifies God’s love. Encouraging someone with acts that attest to their dignity and worth. To love them into a future that flourishes.”3
In this moment, Jesus is thinking of his farewell. His death is imminent. Mary seems to know this. She is seizing the moment and acting on the admonition: “What you have to do for somebody do it now.”4 Just like Zacchaeus acting today and not tomorrow.
Mary’s act is an example of using our power to honor God’s power. Mary uses her economic power - and probably sacrifices some stability - as part of the central story of the Christian faith; a story that changes how we view power. She challenges patriarchal power structures by anointing a man. She challenges oppressive power by acting in defiance of Judas as he claims to have the interests of the poor in mind. Mary knows the gravity of this time. She is using the power she has in service of something much greater.
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Using our power in key moments. I'm sure that some of you used your power yesterday.
On Friday, I joined other clergy to attend the court hearing for Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who immigration officials admitted to deporting to El Salvador due to an "administrative error." In 2019 he was granted a withholding of removal, which barred the U.S. government from deporting him to El Salvador. The Board of Immigration Appeals, which handles appeals from both immigrants and the U.S. government, later upheld Abrego Garcia's block on being deported to El Salvador. Despite admitting the mistake, there are no efforts being made to have
him returned to his family here in Maryland. We were there to show solidarity; to support justice; to witness to this disregard for due process.
We wore collars and stoles because they represent a kind of power. Regardless of the religious beliefs within an assembled group - or lack of belief - having a bunch of ministers show up for a public proceeding can gain attention. It can make people curious and give them pause. All we did was take time out of our day to show up and witness to our beliefs. I said yes because of my faith, because I was asked to, and because it's what I can do. Many others showed up because of deep convictions.
And what happened? Two courtrooms (one an overflow) were packed. The unconstitutional nature of the actions were clear. The government’s attorney was forced to say several times: I do not know; my client (the government) has not told me; I have asked for that information and not received it. He had no power from his great system of power. Instead of waiting a few days to rule, the judge acknowledged the large turnout of support and ruled in Kilmar’s favor.
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You have power. Using it can sometimes be clear and straightforward. Sometimes sacrifice is required. Sometimes we aren't able to check our schedules. I think a lot about how to use my power. I pray to be in a deeper place to both understand that - and act on it. There is a lot I don't know.
But what I do know is that the plight of the powerless breaks my heart. This week, JoJo, Cole, and I went to see Palestinian theologian and pastor Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac speak about his new book, “Christ in the Rubble.” On the way home, JoJo shared some insightful observations about politics and different perspectives. Then, she asked us what we thought.
I couldn’t answer. It took me until the next morning to realize that I couldn’t reply because I can’t get beyond the pain that he and his people are experiencing. That so many Palestinians - AND Israelis - are living with. His sharing hits me in the heart and stays there. I'm unsure how to respond.
During my first trip to Israel/Palestine a decade ago, my group met with lifelong peacemaker and former Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church, Elias Chacour. After he shared his story of commitment to nonviolence, forgiveness, and reconciliation, one in our group asked him: "How do you reconcile Jesus’ saying that ‘My yoke is easy and my burden is light’ (Matthew 11:30) with the tough work of reconciliation, forgiveness, and sacrificing that you live out?" His reply was: “None of your business.” He explained that how he does so is deeply personal and hard to articulate; that maybe one shouldn’t try to; and that it gives a spiritual grounding beyond what can be expressed.
That is true power. Power that transformed Zacchaeus. Power that prompted Mary’s act of sacrifice and defiance.
Oh that I may know such power. Oh how it scares me to think I could. Would I come down from the tree and run to Jesus? Would I give some of my livelihood to usher in God’s reign? I don't know. But I do know some things I can do with my power.
May I have strength and courage to act. May you have strength and courage to act. May all of us be blessed enough to understand our power - and God's power.
Amen.
