LENT 2016 - GOING TO JERUSALEM

Thursday, February 18

The Authority of Jesus Questioned - Matthew 21: 23 – 27

            The Jewish leaders demanded that Jesus show his graduation diploma to prove that he had the right qualifications to do what he was doing. “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority.” (21:23)

 Jesus, what are your credentials? Do you have any references? What medical school did you attend? What seminary did you go to? Do you have a business degree since you are handing out financial advice? Do you have your social work degree if you are planning to work among the poor? Did you get a police check? Do you have a permit to hold a public rally?

Don’t get me wrong – credentials are important. I want a doctor who has a bone fide certificate hanging on his or her wall, if and when I am facing surgery. Just because someone has googled how to fix a car, doesn’t make someone a qualified, expert mechanic.

Nevertheless, the chief priests and the elders are suspicious of Jesus’ qualifications. Too often, religious leaders, both then and even now, can be so protective of their status, knowledge, and influence. We can become so defensive, and then resistant towards new ideas, new approaches and change, just as much if not more, than any lay person.

Once you allow Jesus loose among the common folk, who knows what wild and woolly ideas they might come up with. “Love one another.” “Go the extra mile.”  Samaritans are good neighbors. Women are treated equally. Eat with tax collectors. It just never ends. Good grief, where did this man ever learn his theology! He must be stopped.

Jesus would not be trapped into their narrow theology. So he throws the question back at them as to the divine or human origins of his cousin, John’s work. This was a no-win debate for these religious, stuffed shirts. Which isn’t to say that they were any more convinced that John or Jesus had the right, sacred stuff, but that they didn’t want to find themselves painted into a religious corner with no way out and lose face in the process. So, I imagine they harrumphed, shook their heads, and strode out of there with their noses stuck up in the air, the hems of their robes flapping in the breeze.

With the spirit of God coursing through his life, Jesus indeed did have what it took to carry out God’s mission. He had been developing this sacred mission since birth, it would seem. There was a lot of work to be done. Redemption and salvation, healing and loving, compassion and grace, mercy and justice were imbued in the fabric of his total being. What God was doing through him was the only authority he needed.

In that Spirit, what authenticates your following in Jesus’ steps? Do you just point to your baptismal certificate and rest on its laurels? Do you claim membership status in your church and think that this is enough? Do you show off your Bible and wave it around like it was proof of your commitment? These are good things, by and large, but the truly authentic Christian life is the lively imitation of Jesus, in the practice of his good words and good work.

And don’t let any one tell you anything differently!