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When I Fight Authority

August 17, 2018

Mark 1:21-28

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

CONSIDER THIS

16.  “The authority of Jesus is my authority through the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Authority is a very interesting concept. First, there are “the authorities” which typically means the police, as in, “When I fight authority, authority always wins.” Then there are people who we refer to as an “authority” on a particular subject– a respected expert. Then we have leaders who are considered authoritarian which means they manage to wield a lot of power despite not having any real authority. They tend to be feared more than respected. How about the idea of “authorization” which typically refers to a grant or limitation of power, as in, “I’m not authorized to do that.”

None of this gets at what is meant in today’s text where it says,

“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

The teachers of the law were recognized authorities who operated within a certain bandwidth of religious authorization. They  could be considered an “authority” on all matters pertaining to Scripture and its application to life. They more or less earned their authority by their legal righteousness. Jesus saw right through them. He referred to them as hypocrites—they maintained the appearance of righteousness but inside they were corrupt.

This cuts to the heart of the nature of Jesus’ authority. It was unlike theirs in that his authority proceeded from the endless depths of his authenticity. True authority is the fruit of real authenticity. This is why true authority can always be trusted. The hallmark of true authority is humility. This is what it means to be a the “real deal,” a “real” Christian.

Let me cut to the bottom line. Authority cannot be earned. The more a person tries to earn authority the more they prove they do not possess it. In fact, authority is not something you possess. Authority is who you become, and the only way there is the path of  authenticity. Here’s where I will get controversial. The only way to true authenticity is through the only truly authentic One– Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. He is the image of the invisible God, the one in whose image we were created and through whom we are becoming new creations.

Jesus doesn’t have authority, nor is he “an” authority, nor is he “the” authority. He is Authority Incarnate– Word made Flesh– Very God of Very God. And he gives this to those who will give themselves to him.

Remember this?

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20. 

The authority of Jesus becomes the authority of his followers through the authenticity of their fellowship in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit authenticates the sons and daughters of God by making them truly human; which is to say, the humble image bearers of the Son of God.

Will you dare to make this claim? “The authority of Jesus is my authority through the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Now claim it aloud. “The authority of Jesus is my authority through the gift of the Holy Spirit.” One more time: “The authority of Jesus is my authority through the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

It’s a humbling reality, isn’t it?

THE PRAYER

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Train me to desire authenticity more than I want authority. Fill me with an authority which is hidden from me, yet manifest in love for the sake of others. Show me the deep integrity of Jesus’ authority and show it forth through me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. For the glory of your name, Jesus. Amen.

THE QUESTION

Think of and describe a person in your past or present who carries the humble authority of Jesus. What is it about them?

P. S. Today is the last day to order the Daily Text Prayer Series book (releasing spring of 2019) at the 50% discount.  Please order here. And I thank you.

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For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com

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I write every day at THE SEEDBED DAILY TEXT.

 

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WHAT IS THIS? Wake-Up Call is a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus. Each morning our community gathers around a Scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and a few short questions, inviting us to reorient our lives around the love of Jesus that transforms our hearts, homes, churches, and cities.

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