Matthew 6:13*
…for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen.
That kiss… The kiss between the Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish football federation and Spain’s forward Jenni Hermoso, after Spain won the World Cup, has stirred up quite the fuss hasn’t it. The fuss isn’t so much about the kiss, but about the abuse of power that lies behind it. The status he has as president gives him power over the players and their lives, a power it is alleged that has been abused for some time, with this kiss being an public expression of this. Having power isn’t wrong, it’s how we relate to others when we have power over them in someway (and we all have such relationships, whether that be over employees, friends or family). Do we give, or do we take? God, of course, has the ultimate power, he reigns over all things, but how does he use his power? I’m reminded of another kiss, that of Judah. Rather than abusing us, allows himself in Christ to be abused by us, so that he may take on himself our brokenness, and give us a fresh start and the promise of re-creation and freedom.
Jesus, thank you that you gave up your power for me.
(*This text is found in late New Testament manuscripts and has become the traditional ending to the Lord’s Prayer. Most Bibles include it as a footnote.)
Photo by Sage Friedman on Unsplash
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