A Higher Authority

The particular events of American history have made us rather inclined to question authority. There are theological roots to this, Presbyterian/Reformed worries about sin that led to division of power in different branches of government so that power isn't overly concentrated in one place. Add to that a strong tendency toward individualism and personal freedom, and authority is further called into question. No doubt there are times when this suspicion of authority is a great strength in our society. But great strengths are usually roots of great weaknesses also, and our inability to recognize authority we don't like or agree with accounts for some of the partisan gridlock and chaos in Washington.

Jesus gets asked about his authority in today's gospel. As so often happens, Jesus answers a question with another question, querying his opponents about what authority lay behind the ministry of John the Baptist. Jesus' question demands that his opponents reveal what authority they do recognize, but they cannot do that, and they refuse to answer.

What authority do we recognize? In the season of Advent we say we are getting ready for the king who is coming, but to have  king is to respect the authority of that royal power. But most Christians, both on the left and right, fashion Jesus to suit themselves. We embrace the Jesus we agree with and reject the one who challenges us. In the end, we declare the real authority we recognize: our reason and intelligence, our personal preferences, our ambitions, or our desires. If Jesus does not cohere with some or all of these, we won't accept his authority or do as he says.

Soon we will sing of a king that is born, a lord who has come, a Savior who reigns. But will we allow this king to change us, to transform us into the children of God we are meant to be? Or will we insist that he recognize that we are the ones who are truly in charge?

Click to learn more about the lectionary.