Power Frames, Power Clashes

In his book, Pitch Anything, Oren Klaff describes his “frames”. (These are not to be confused with the memory frames I have written about in other posts.) He says that a frame is “the instrument used to package authority, strength, status. Everyone uses frames, whether they realise it or not. They clash into each other and one or the other gains control.”

Think, for example, of a policeman pulling you over. It doesn’t matter how belligerent you might be while the cop is making his way to your window, you’ve already lost the frame clash. You can try telling him that you are in a hurry (time frame) or that you are a Sovereign Citizen (moral frame), but generally speaking, your frame will collapse under the weight of his. This is Klaff’s concept of frames.

The most powerful leader ever, in my view, is Jesus Christ. Within a single generation, his message of the Sky Kingdom (he basileia ton ouranon) had worked its way to the far flung corners of the globe. Two thousand years later, despite bureaucratisation and infiltration (which Jesus predicted), there are still plenty of “salt of the earth” adherents spread from Beijing to São Paulo, who radically and uncompromisingly live out the principles of the Sky Kingdom.

How did Jesus fare in frame clashes?

Jesus in Frame Clashes

Jesus is described as “humble”, as “meek and mild.” This means that in a frame-clash, he came off second best, right? Everyone else won, and he just sat in the corner and wept into his blue stole? That’s the default picture that I get from the paintings I see of Jesus. But what does the text say?

As He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, throwing a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Mark 1, MEV

On the first page of Mark’s Gospel, we see a clash of frames. Simon and Andrew’s response shows that Jesus’ frame consumed their frames (and they were quite happy about the frame clash outcome.)

Just a few lines later, we read of another frame-clash:

They went to Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. They were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. In their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “Leave us alone! What do You have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are, the Holy One of God.”

Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” When the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, it came out of him.

Mark 1, MEV

It’s clear that Jesus’ frame is dominating everything it comes into contact with. His words have authority. Even a demonic spirit cannot maintain its power frame for more than a few moments.

Fast-forward to the frame-clashing climax in Mark’s account, and we read that Jesus still has control, despite every attempt of the religious leaders to break him:

Then the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Do You answer nothing? What is it which these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing.

Again the high priest asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

The high priest tore his robes, saying, “What need do we have of any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned Him as guilty unto death. Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to strike Him, saying to Him, “Prophesy!” And the guards struck Him with the palms of their hands.

Mark 14, MEV

There is a bigger frame-clash recorded in John’s gospel, which is glossed over in Mark. The conversation between Jesus and Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor whose direct report is the Emperor, ends in a spectacular clash, where Jesus wins.

Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to release You, and power to crucify You?”

Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all over Me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”

John 19, MEV

Do you get that? The subtext in Jesus’ reply is that the roles are actually different from how Pilate sees them. It is not Jesus who is on trial, but Pilate who is being called to account. Jesus is not before Pilate. Pilate is before Jesus!

Me and Frame Clashes

Until now I have held an underlying belief that Jesus failed in ‘frame clashes’. This belief is inconsistent with my view of Jesus as a powerful and effective leader, but there you go. It didn’t make sense, but in my gut I had the belief that Jesus was too gentle and self-deprecating to win.

Running parallel with this belief is my own habit of shrinking back in frame clashes and assuming that I am going to lose. As I look back on my own experience I find that there are times I have sabotaged myself. At other times, I have had men fight to destroy me, and I have not responded in strength. I have ‘lost the frame’, to use Klaff’s terminology. Consequently, my default is to unconsciously aim for a lose ‘lose/win’ outcome.

So imagine the smile on my face when I realize that Jesus never lost a frame clash. Not a single one!

Could it be that this part of my belief system needs a rebuild? It is NOT more virtuous to shrink back from frame-clashes than to engage. It is not more Christ-like to lose.

Jesus was humble, but I have mistaken his humility for weakness. I do not yet understand the true meaning of humility.

Jesus intended his followers to win all of their frame-clashes, just like him.

And this, dear reader, is an idea like a gift. It is begging to be unwrapped!