By whose authority?

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

“Authority” almost seems like a dirty word today, doesn’t it? Many today even feel empowered by disrespecting authority. Children regularly dishonor their parents. Students dishonor their teachers more and more often. While critique and reform of the police are understandable, outright disrespect for them is not. And in America, government officials, who are supposed to be “public servants,” shouldn’t be able to disregard people, especially when it comes to their freedom to believe and to worship God freely without fear. Ever since the Fall, both disrespect for authority and the misuse of it have always been issues because deep in our hearts we all sinfully believe that God doesn’t know what’s best for us. We do.

But the Lord tells us to honor Him, to honor His moral ordering of His world, to honor father and mother (Exodus 20:12), and to honor those in authority over us, even “Caesar” himself (see Matthew 22:21). In so doing, He’s calling us to honor His preserving work, even as we put our faith in His saving work. That’s what is at stake for you and me today. It’s that serious. If we become a people who openly dishonor God’s will, it will become hard for us to remain a believing people, and faith in Him alone is what finally saves us.

In our lesson today, Jesus’ authority is questioned. The chief priest and the elders of Jesus’ day thought that Roman rule was illegitimate, so they felt justified in merging biblical hopes about the coming Messiah with their own political ends. But, even worse, their questioning of Jesus was intended to marginalize His very work as the Messiah for the world. Into this milieu walks Jesus. He differentiates God’s preserving work from His saving work (Matthew 22:21). He eventually asserts that “all authority in heaven and earth” has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). Throughout His ministry, Jesus is establishing His legitimacy to save and, in the end, to judge the world. Why? Because there is life and salvation in Him alone for He is Christ, the very Son of God, above whom there is no greater authority."

That’s what is at stake for each of us. Today, too many revel in the power to “disrespect,” while not realizing it eventually leads to tyranny and destruction. To be people of faith, we should be those who honor God and His authority over us in all things. Honoring God’s authority directs our eyes to the proclamation of His greatest work, sending His Son as our Savior. When Jesus says, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one whom He has sent” (John 6:29), that’s what matters and endures. With full authority, Jesus tells us, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). With full authority, Jesus sends out His disciples to “make disciples of all nations” and to “forgive others” in His name (Matthew 28:19; John 20:23).

By whose authority? By His. He sets before you life and death, honor and dishonor, salvation and judgment. Most importantly, Jesus’ gracious authority means He Himself is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” for you and for all (John 14:6). So put your faith in Him above all things for life now and life forever.

PRAYER – Dear Lord Jesus, give us courage to be an honoring people in a dishonoring world. Even more importantly, give us humility to be a believing people in an unbelieving world so that others might also get to know you as Lord and Savior. AMEN.

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Dr. Gregory Seltz
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