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Subjected, Sent, and Equal – 1 John 4:14
Because Jesus took on the role of our incarnated savior, he was in subjection to his heavenly Father. Consequently the Father sent the Son (1 John 4:14).
According to the theology of Jehovah Witnesses, any one sent by another, is in subjection, inferior, and unequal in worth. As the JW”s were saying this, I quietly sent Janet to get me something to drink. When she came back I asked them if they considered my wife inferior to me. Adamantly they said no. Then I pointed out they should, based on their teaching, since I sent my wife to fetch me a drink. They just smiled.
Subjection from a biblical point of view is muddled by the world’s practice of leadership. Jesus taught against this earthly domineering leadership (Mark 10:42-45). Jesus lived and died because of servant leadership. Read the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), the Friut of the Spirit (Galatians 5), and even the qualities of an elder (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1), for a servant’s character. Such qualities are used to lead, serving those led.
Worldly leaders lead through force because they are usually superior in ways that the world approves – brutish ways. That’s how the world thinks and acts (Matthew 20:25-28).
In the world of Jesus, leaders serve; and those in subjection are honored and lifted up. This is upside down leading, taught to us by someone sent down to lead by serving.
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