Authority

June 24, 2018

The Scripture lesson for today was the conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. It says that when he was done, the people were amazed because he taught with authority, and not like the scribes and rabbis. Authority is not the same as power. A semi has power and momentum, but when the officer stands in the intersection and holds up his hand, the driver of the truck slows and stops. He has the power to squash the policeman like a bug, but the officer has authority, and usually, power yields to authority.

Jesus had that kind of authority. Humanly speaking, he was pretty powerless. He yielded his heavenly power when he took on human flesh to come to earth as our Savior. But he retained authority, and it caught people’s attention. It didn’t always change things. Not even Jesus was able to convert everyone he met. I guess we shouldn’t expect any different. There is however, more to the story. The Gospels tell us that he was crucified, buried, and resurrected. He then ascended to the Father, and is seated at his right hand. In Biblical times being seated at the right hand of power was the place of ultimate authority. And according to the story, he has given to us the same authority he took when he was seated. Ephesians 2 tells us that we are seated with him in heavenly places. In Matthew 28, Jesus told his disciples that he was giving them the same authority he had been given.

It’s a good story, but so what? Well, we live in a day when authority is questioned and resisted. There are times that is a good thing, but a total absence of authority creates anarchy, which is never a good thing. In a world that seems to be coming unglued, where anything goes, a person who carries him or herself with authority is bound to be noticed. And the Christian has that kind of authority; not to lord it over anyone else, but to have control over him or herself. Being subjected to one’s passions or addictions is never a good place to be. They drive us all over the place, playing havoc with our lives. Having our emotions, our needs, our neuroses calling the shots will inevitably lead us into bondage. Freedom from all constraint is a peculiar and deadly form of bondage.

One day a soldier came to Jesus with a particular request. His servant was sick, and he wanted healing for him. When Jesus offered to come, the soldier said it wasn’t necessary; all he needed was for Jesus to say the word, and his servant would be healed. He then explained that he was “a man under authority, with soldiers under him.” Whatever command he gave was carried out, so all Jesus needed to do was to give the command. He understood authority. But notice that he began by saying “I am under authority.” There is a chain of command, and he was expected to give orders consistent with the one in authority over him. 

The authority the Christian uses must be consistent with the One in authority over us. I have no authority of my own; it is what Jesus gave me. So if I try to influence for personal benefit, I lose authority. But when I am under his authority, I need not fret over mistakes in my past, worry over my future, or fear of man or demon in the present. Authority breeds confidence, and confidence produces peace. It’s a good place to be, and I am thankful to be there today.