Authority

We have probably all had the experience of someone questioning our authority.  Parents, especially, can relate to authority challenges.  In the heat of the moment, a rebellious child may be heard saying, "You can't tell me what to do!"  

In his ministry, Jesus encountered religious leaders who behaved like rebellious children when they refused to recognize his power.  Soon after Jesus cleaned out the temple because of all the chaotic activity taking place there which distracted worshipers from being able to hear God's Word, the religious leaders approached Jesus and asked, "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things. Who gave you this authority?"  Their question was not an innocent inquiry, but rather a calculated, manipulative effort to catch Jesus in a trap that would, in their hopes, lead to his death.

At the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, just prior to his ascension, he said to the disciples: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me..." (Matthew 28:18).  Think about this staggering statement for a moment.  God the Father has given his Son, Jesus Christ,ALL authority!  Jesus is supreme and has complete authority over everything!  

In Luke's Gospel, we see how Jesus demonstrated authority with his word (people were amazed that he spoke with such authority while he was teaching), authority over creation (he rebuked wind and raging waters and brought about calm), authority over the demonic realm (the demons begged Jesus to let them go into a bunch of pigs), authority over disease (Jesus healed many people), and authority over death (Jairus' daughter was raised from the dead).  These examples reveal the supremacy of Christ over all things, yet it seems we often live like rebellious children, wanting to do life our own way instead of daily surrendering to the authority of Jesus.   

 

How about you?  Do you not only recognize the authority of Jesus but also have a deep desire to allow Christ's authority to guide you in all areas of your life?  Is your marriage relationship centered on the authoritative Word?  Do you daily surrender to Christ's authority in your place of employment?  If someone looked at your bank statement, would they be able to see the supremacy of Jesus?  How about your viewing history on the internet?

 

When we willingly come under the power and authority of Christ and live in obedience to him, we are given an amazing gift---freedom in Christ.  In surrender there is freedom.  In death (to our sins, our selfish agendas) there is abundant life.  

New Season

Today started early in my home because my children had to catch the bus before sunrise to begin a new school year.  It's a new season.  There is a certain freshness that comes with turning the page and encountering something different.  New seasons provide opportunities for reflection on the past, but they also give reason to establish renewed vision for the future through the evaluation of priorities:  How am I spending my time?  Am I simply spinning the wheels and going through the motions, or am I living each day with a deep sense of purpose, mission, and Christ-centeredness?  Am I being faithful with all God has entrusted to me?

Jesus calls his followers to be faithful in the stewardship of their time, talents, and treasures. As we encounter a new school year and a new season of ministry at Crossroads, let's consider these truths so we can maximize our time for God's glory:

1) The time we have been given to use our gifts is limited.  

I was reminded of the fleeting nature of this life as I dropped my middle school daughter and high school son off at the bus stop this morning.  As all parents of teens would say, "It seems like only yesterday we were bringing them home from the hospital in a car seat!"  During his ministry, Jesus told a parable about a nobleman who was going to a distant country to be appointed king.  However, before he left on the journey, he called ten servants, gave them some money, and told them to put the money to work until he returned (see Luke 19:11 ff).  One of the key points of Jesus' story is that the king is coming back to see what the servants have done with the money.  What kinds of stewards would they be?  In the story, Jesus is describing himself and his return.  It's easy for us to get lulled into complacency or to put off using our gifts until a more convenient time.  Meanwhile, opportunities for service come and go, children grow up, time flies, and we fail to see each moment as an opportunity to put God's gifts to work.  This leads us to the reminder that....

2) The source of our gifts is God. 

This may seem obvious, but it's so easy to start thinking in terms of my talents, my money, my job, my family--instead of realizing that all those things and people are gifts from the Almighty.  If we take another look at Jesus' parable, we see that the king distributes the money to the servants.  The king is the source.  When we regularly remember that God has gifted each one of us in unique ways, we are given an empowering perspective from which to live; our lives become a worshipful response to the gracious and generous gifts of God.

3) We will face opposition when we seek to faithfully use our gifts.

The king in Jesus' parable is hated by his subjects: 

But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, "We don't want this man to be our king." (Luke 19:14)

Likewise, when we are fully committed to using our gifts to serve Christ, we too will experience opposition and persecution of various kinds.  This should not surprise us because Jesus said: 

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

New seasons of life are wonderful times to evaluate whether we have been compromising our faith and giving in to the pressures of the world in order to avoid opposition.  Are you committed to faithfully use your God-given gifts--no matter the cost?

4) God will hold us accountable for the use of our gifts.

Jesus' parable continues...

He was made king, however, and returned home.  Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.  The first one came and said, "Sir, your mina has earned ten more."  "Well done, my good servant!" his master replied.  "Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities."  The second came and said, "Sir, your mina has earned five more."  His master answered, "You take charge of five cities."  Then another servant came and said, "Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.  I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man.  You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.  His master replied, "I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant!"  (Luke 19:15-22)

The coming judgment of God will be a time of accountability, and for followers of Jesus it will be a reckoning, an unveiling of our stewardship.  At this time of accountability, don't you want to hear Jesus say, "Well done"?  Don't you want to hear the Son of God say, "Thank you for putting the gifts I gave you to good use"?

If you feel like your life has been drifting lately and you have been lacking that deep sense of purpose to live each moment in honor of Jesus, it's not too late to cry out to the King and receive His empowering so you can use God's abundant gifts in a faithful way.  Just remember, at the end of the journey we can look forward to our Savior say, "Well done!"