Who Authorized That? 18 March 2008

Mark 11:27-33
Tuesday, 18 March 2008

As a child, I was precocious; as an adult, I am audacious. What that means practically is that I often do not ask permission to do what I think needs doing. Occasionally, I am astute and wise as well. Not everybody finds these characteristics or the combination of them endearing. Who told you, my detractors ask, that you were allowed to do or say or be that?

Every moment for Jesus is significant, but his Holy Week activities are especially so. His critics are even more focused on him, seeking a way of tripping him up and ridding themselves of him permanently. I don't know how long the elders had been planning to corner him with the question of his authority. Perhaps they are tired of hearing reports about how powerfully he speaks. Their question is inherently dangerous for a person to answer, particularly in a society and culture that is honor-driven, stratified, and hierarchical. Tooting one's own horn always harbors the danger of sounding presumptuous and conceited. Further,anyone who fails to recognize that his teaching and miracles come from God is unlikely to be swayed by his testimony. So, he turns the tables back on them. "Who authorized John the Baptist?" It turns out that it's just as dangerous to answer the question about someone else's authority as it is to answer about one's own. The "experts" agree to remain neutral.

I think the lesson from Jesus today is simply that, as a friend of mine is fond of saying, just because someone else pitches the ball doesn't mean we have to swing at it. When we exercise our God-given gifts and live out our God-ordained purpose, even church people will sometimes criticize. But if we do what is right and we are authorized by and accepted of God, the "experts'" opinions and criticisms are immaterial. As always, we must focus on pleasing God not people.

Sing, "This Little Light of Mine" (and sing it with attitude, especially the part about "Jesus gave it to me")

Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have called, anointed, ordained, appointed, and gifted us as your people. You have commissioned us to spread your message with our words and with our lives. You gave us this light, this love, this joy, this hope, this peace, and this assignment. Help us remember that our authority emerges not from within ourselves but through the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, in whose name we pray and act. Amen