Let us be honest, we have an issue with authority usually.
Can you remember a time when you did not have authority but tried to test your authority? (Take a second to answer.) What event did you recall?
Chances are if you lived in a house like mine, you did not leave the table until all the vegetables were consumed on your plate. Or did you learn quickly, like I did, that you never talk back to a teacher at school? Or finally, how about a time when a loved one stood in front of a judge who was not persuaded by any of the arguments shared?
I recall a few years back in ministry when someone was working through some hurdles. At the end of our time together I asked if I could pray for them to receive forgiveness from God over the things they had done, which led them through a season of being undone too. The individual was enthusiastic about receiving forgiveness and hearing the Lord’s absolution of these events in their life. The individual received Christ’s forgiveness and freedom. Years later, that individual is transformed.
While a transformed life is something only God can provide, it does not come without a price. Some days later, after this individual received forgiveness from God, I received phone calls and emails from family who were questioning by what authority forgiveness could be granted to their family member who had not worked through the legal matters. I said, “Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Granted, we are always accountable to the rule of law in the places we live. But by the work done on the cross and in the resurrection of Jesus, this man had found freedom and forgiveness from his Lord. Christ had taken his sins and put them to death.
At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus states, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Jesus had total authority.
In today’s reading, Jesus is getting pressed by the leading priests: “By what authority [Jesus] are you doing all these things?” Jesus has the leading priests searching their heads and hearts with another question about John’s authority to baptize. It’s a fork-in-the-road moment for these leading priests. Will the priests choose to go the way of tradition or go with Jesus? Jesus continues to stand in front of the questions. That can only happen when you have total authority like Jesus did.
Sadly, Jesus illustrates in another in-your-face parable about the behaviors of the leading priests as evil farmers, who are leasing farm ground. The farmers in this parable steal, contort, lie, and murder to try and take what is not theirs to keep. Jesus steps in and becomes the cornerstone so others can have a firm foundation.
Prayer:
Dear God, keep our eyes fixed on your Son as he proclaims your mercy, grace, and forgiveness in word and deed. Renew in me a right spirit and create in me a clean heart. Thank you for taking on my sin and death and winning a victory over them so I can be made right in you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.