April 19, 2026 Devo

I saw a video some time ago that was really disturbing. It was a pastor who was using the pulpit to give people a good tongue-lashing. He wasn’t just speaking in harsh generalities. This guy was calling people out by name. He called out a guy who was nodding off. He told the guy, “You might fall asleep on your English teacher, but you don’t fall asleep on me! I’m somebody important!” He then confronted another person who had evidently missed a few Sundays and called them a “sorry church member.” He also told a couple whose wedding he had on his calendar that they weren’t worth 15 cents. The rant went on and on.
It’s not unusual for people with power to sometimes get carried away with their position and authority. It’s easy to forget that we are given authority to SERVE, not to BE SERVED. Sometimes our ego becomes inflated. Sometimes we stop seeing our role as a gift from God, and we begin to see it as something WE have achieved, earned, or deserve. And sometimes power just becomes intoxicating, and we enjoy the feeling of flexing our muscles.
That’s why, once again, I love the description of Jesus that Isaiah gives in our passage today. Jesus wasn’t just powerful. He was All-Powerful! He wasn’t just another ruler with authority. He was the King of Kings! He didn’t just have the backing of a government or an army. He was Commander-in-Chief of the armies of God! But instead of parading into our world, flexing His muscles, and intimidating everyone around Him, look at Isaiah’s description. “He will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle.” The most powerful man to ever walk the earth was tender with His touch and soft and careful in His speech. Jesus was secure enough in His identity that He didn’t have to tell people how important He was.
Let’s reflect that kind of character. As parents, grandparents, and caregivers. As pastors, teachers, and leaders. As supervisors, managers, and business owners. When God endows us with authority, it comes with a divine responsibility. Though we may be called at times to exercise that authority and deal with difficult people and circumstances, we are to do so with tenderness and self-control. Let’s not put people down. Let’s lift them up! Let’s not hurt with harshness. Let’s heal with tenderness. We’re STEWARDS, not OWNERS of our roles and positions. Let’s make sure we lead like Jesus! That’s God’s Word for you today.