A popular question in movies and television shows is, “Who is in charge here?” This question had more meaning when those media were filmed in shades of gray. The whole idea of who’s in charge has shifted dramatically over the last century. 

Secretary of State Alexander Haig, on one memorable day, declared, “I am in control here,” when asked a question like the one above. President Reagan had been shot. Vice President Bush was on his way back to Washington from Dallas. This set off alarm bells for those who knew the United States Constitution and the 25th Amendment. The Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, was next in the line of succession to the presidency.

Haig later clarified that he was talking about who was in charge of the Executive Branch at the White House during this crisis. I’m not sure Sam Donaldson was convinced something more sinister was not in play ([https://bit.ly/44YJDsu]).

Jesus gave definitive answers to unasked questions in this regard. Here and in Matthew 28:19 and 20, he made it clear that all authority in heaven and on earth had been entrusted to him. 

It’s amazing, isn’t it, how little authority it takes for some people to begin behaving as authoritarians? 

As this deeply-trinitarian chapter demonstrates, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are completely unified. There is no struggle for power. There is no pride of place. There are no turf battles. They are not, after all, Greek, Roman, or Norse gods. Instead, they work together in perfect unison to declare the Father’s glory and love, express that love to the uttermost, and empower us to live in that love with them and with one another.

Who do you have in your life who is capable of receiving all that you call your own and fear not regarding its disposition when you return or after you are gone? This is a big question when we ponder our personal stuff. Imagine how big an issue it is when we talk about the whole wide world and everyone who has ever lived.

Our Father in Heaven could confidently entrust all things to Jesus because Jesus is perfectly trustworthy. Everything Jesus does with what the Father entrusts to him is exactly what the Father would do himself. This is so true and so real that Jesus could truthfully say, “The Father and I are one,” (John 10:30. Read through verse 38.)

Psalm 133 is simple and short. It begins this way:

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”

It goes on to say harmony is precious and refreshing. How wonderful and pleasant, precious and refreshing it is to belong to Jesus. The perfect harmony of heaven is a model and an aspirational goal. 

Things work so much better when Jesus calls the shots and gives the marching orders. Notice how every command of Jesus is delivered and accomplished by his perfect love. Not a single utterance or expectation is selfish or grasping. 

There are a couple of good answers to the question, “Who’s in charge here?” The best way for us to answer is a simple “Not me.” Jesus does not require my coregency. He does not need my advice. He does not depend on my strength. 

Hallelujah! I am perfectly incapable of supervising Jesus. I have no words of wisdom to set him straight. My broken wing is capable only of the most minor assistance. 

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I will depend on Jesus who is in charge here and who leads from a loving heart with loving hands with a loving will set on my best possible outcome in all things at all times. 

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Our Father, you are in charge, and I am not. I belong to you. You are smarter, better, faster than me. You are wise and indefatigable. You lead with love and spread joy overflowing. This empowers me to live patiently rather than powerfully (Proverbs 16:32). This gives me confidence in seasons of waiting and in moments of loss. I will trust your heart even when I cannot trace your invisible hand. Amen.