Earthly Authority is an Earthly Construct

Scripture: One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” Luke 20:1-4

Observation: In this famous exchange, as the Pharisees and priests look to challenge Jesus, they ask about his authority to teach and lead in the temple. He turns the table and asks them to explain John the Baptist's authority, and they refuse to answer because if they say 'heaven' he can question them as to why they didn't believe, but if they say 'human' the people will be angry.

This is actually the same question they are asking Jesus. By Jewish tradition, Rabis were trained by an elder, who then effectively 'certified' their knowledge and understanding. They are asking Jesus whom his master teacher was, likely knowing he had none. The trap will be, if he names someone they can dispute it, and if he claims heavenly authority they can demonstrate that as false, declare he has no training, and perhaps accuse him of blasphemy.

Interestingly, when Jesus flips this, he really is giving them the same two choices, and that - the two choices - is the real trap. For the priests and Pharisees, there are other possible answers ... such as the people themselves gave John authority by their response ... or even just defining a difference between one who gives hope through baptism in the wilderness versus one who teaches in the temple. However, they couldn't think that way; They were locked into a mindset that says authority comes from either earthly structures supported by policies and procedures, or some grand heavenly miracle that is obvious and impossible to contend.

Yes, the Lord can work that way, as when he parted the Red Sea in a manner visible to millions. However, even that is short-lived in the minds of those who witness it. More often he works through empowering individuals with his Holy Spirit in a way that their small actions change the lives of millions ... like emboldening Gideon's courage to lead, or positioning Ester as queen, or guiding Jacob in the ways of sheep rearing, or revealing to Daniel a king's dream, or giving Bezalel amazing crafting skills.

The real issue is that the priests are seeking to challenge Jesus' earthly authority to teach. However, earthly authority is always an earthly construct. What they should have been wondering about is the source of Jesus' wisdom.

Application: I don't want to make this political, though the implications are too obvious. Instead, keeping it neutral, my takeaway today re-enforces something the Lord showed to me about two weeks ago. Authority - especially the authority of a worldly leader to influence an individual's mindset in both negative and positive ways - is a power completely granted by the individual. Earthly authority granted to a person an earthly construct created by people.

I recognize only one authority, and it is not a president, or political party, or high priest, or teacher. My authority is Jesus. Sure, I'll do what my boss tells me at work ... because I knowingly accept a level of earthly authority he has within the earthly construct of my job ... but that is a decision that exists within the broader context of heavenly authority, and if there is ever a conflict, I side with the Lord. He is the source of wisdom and joy and blessing and judgment.

Prayer: Lord, I look to you this week for all direction and wisdom and guidance. May I have the wisdom myself only to obey you. Amen.