Accepting the Only Authority

Scripture: They talked it over among themselves. “If we reply that God sent him, then he will say, ‘All right, why didn’t you accept him?’ But if we say God didn’t send him, then the people will start a riot.” (For the people all believed strongly that John was a prophet.) Mark 11:31-32

Observation: When the chief priest and his entourage ask Jesus about the source of his authority for having cleansed the temple the prior day, he instead asks them a similar question about John the Baptist's authority. This is their thought process ... there are only two possible answers, "of God" or "none", and they would prefer not to vocalize either.

The irony of this is that their question of Jesus has the exact same two possible answers. Jesus could state his authority is of God, or he could state he had no authority, for he certainly wasn't operating under any earthly instructions from either priestly leaders or Roman rulers.

This, interestingly, is the model for determining all authority. In all cases, the authority to act comes from only two sources, either the Lord, or 'none', though as humans we have created earthly models for conferring authority in certain earthly circumstances. Even in the latter situation, we look to God to order the situation so that those in authority are in such positions by God's will. In this way, the question "by whose authority" is meaningless, for the answer must either be "God" or be completely invalid.

Application: In what circumstances do I accept authority in my life that is clearly no "of God"? In the last 12 months, that situation has skyrocketed for sure. The Lord desires safety, security, and comfort of others for sure, but he does not desire fear, anger, and isolation.

I am done accepting any authority that is not of God. That may still mean that certain societal restrictions are acceptable as they provide comfort and compassion to others, which is in fact in line with God's love. However, I will evaluate circumstances. I will as "by whose authority" and be warry of clearly invalid responses. And I will not exercise my own authority without the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, I sincerely pray that now is the time for this world to pass out of this situation, and for your kingdom values to re-emerge. May we love others, but also love you all the more. Darkness has had its time, and it is now time for the light of Jesus to shine all the more brightly. Amen.