A Question of Authority
AM Psalm 1, 2, 3 • PM Psalm 4, 7
Isa. 1:10-20 • 1 Thess. 1:1-10 • Luke 20:1-8
“Who gave you permission to...?”
That question usually proceeded a stern parental rebuke in the least or some sort of punishment at the worst. That question was less about what I had done, and more about the error of overstepping the boundaries of authority in my household. Between those lines was the unspoken, yet understood, “Just who do you think you are?”
“Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?” is how the chief priests, scribes, and elders confronted Jesus. (Luke 20:2)
And Jesus does not answer their question – at least not directly. He first asks his questioners “Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” The priest, scribes, and elders - who believed that they held much authority - discuss this amongst themselves and realize that it is, in effect, a ‘trick question.’ And when they answer that they did not know, Jesus refuses to tell them “by what authority (he was) doing these things.”
Today’s reading from Luke reminds me of the question Pilate puts to Jesus, recounted just a few chapters later… “Are you the King of the Jews?” to which Jesus replies to the effect of “If you say so.” (Luke 23:3)
Did Jesus avoid answering these questions because he saw some potential risk in claiming his authority as God incarnate? Maybe he thought it should be evident to those who had witnessed his life and ministry that he was “of heaven.” Or perhaps he understood that people are more likely to believe something if they come to that truth through their own reasoning process, as opposed to having it spelled out for them.
May we come to understand Jesus’ divine authority as it is revealed to us – through the scriptures, prayer and meditation, and from his presence in our lives. Amen.
Written by Shannon Dillard Mitchell
...who has been known to question authority from time to time and who is grateful for divine patience and grace.