Who has authority?

There is no faking it.

You either have it or you don’t.

I remember the moment well.

It was a day I had hoped I would be ready for but secretly wanted to avoid.

My mom had gone out of town and left me in charge.

I was to be “on call” with the nursing home staff in case they needed me to help with my grandmother. We had brought her down from Kentucky when her health began failing. My mother had exhausted every possible means (including herself) in her efforts to care for “Gaga” after we had moved to Florida. Often, she would drive back and forth from Florida to Kentucky to hire caregivers, handle doctors and such but eventually, my grandmother needed more of our family’s care so she needed to move where we were.

There weren’t any assisted living options back then so she moved into a nursing home. My mom would go daily, sometimes numerous times, to lovingly attend to her needs. What is relevant to this story is you need to know my grandmother was a firecracker!

To say she was feisty would be an understatement.

So when my mom went out of town, I was supposed to “handle” her……

Well, sure enough, the call came. The nursing staff needed her to take her “happy” pill, which helped her demeanor tremendously, but Gaga had refused to take it. I was called to come resolve the issue.

At the time, I only lived a couple of blocks from the facility so off I went….quaking in my boots! I was a new mother at the time so I was still getting used to this authoritative role I had recently begun.

I can still remember as I entered the facility, hearing my grandmother’s voice carrying down the hallway.

“Uh oh. Not sounding good,” I thought to myself.

Can we muster up authority for ourselves?

But I pulled my britches up higher by the waistband and intended to walk in that room with all the authority I could muster. I didn’t feel very authoritative, but I was going to have to BE SO regardless! Ultimately, I had to succeed!

As I rounded the corner and entered her room, she whipped her head around and glared at me in such a way that I almost whimpered. I felt fear shoot up my spine instantly.

I dug deep and looked as firm as I could as an adult granddaughter, informing her that she needed to take her pill and that was just all there was to it! No other options.

All I can say is that it was probably a good thing she was a bit frail in her body because I think she would have wrung my neck if she could have gotten her hands on me.

She in no uncertain terms refused my instruction, with a few choice words to boot.

I quickly realized that there was no way on this planet I was going to get her to do ANYTHING she didn’t want to do!

She and I BOTH knew that!

Desperate, I did what any granddaughter would do- I called my mom!

Over the phone, my mother got her to take that pill (yes, you read that right)!

What I couldn’t do in person, my mother was able to do OVER THE PHONE.

I was so humbled, but I learned a valuable lesson that day.

You cannot fake authority. You either have it, or you don’t.

And obviously, I didn’t have it yet!

Who doesn’t have authority?

The teachers of the law didn’t have it either in Jesus’ day. It was only as He came on the scene that it became glaringly obvious to everyone else.

 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. Mark 1:21-28

My grandmother was able to recognize authority when she heard it and so were the people listening to Jesus.

What made it obvious to them that His authority was different?

How was Jesus’ authority different?

Strong’s Greek Lexicon defines the word used for “authority” in the above passage as exousia. This word has five basic components that describe its usage.

1. Jurisdiction- the official power (or rule) to make legal decisions and judgments.
2. Power- the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.
3. Right- a moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way.
4. Liberty- the power or scope to act as one pleases.
5. Strength- the quality or state of being strong (physically, emotionally, mentally).

So how was this different from what they already knew from the authority of their teachers?

Their teachers most assuredly wielded their own version of authority which appeared legalistic and controlling, but I think the most obvious difference would have been the self-serving nature of their authority. The Jews were very familiar with their leaders using their authority to elevate themselves at the cost of the people they were supposed to be serving. They relished, and vehemently protected, the power and opportunity their positions afforded them.

Jesus’ authority was not used to exalt Himself at the expense of others but was instead used for the benefit of others, ultimately at His expense on the cross. His miracles, as well as His teaching, were meant to benefit the people and reveal His deity.

How this difference affects our response

In essence, His authority was recognized as unique not only because His actions were different but also because His motives were as well. No one had seen these miracles before, nor had they experienced this depth of love. It was an unselfish love, self-sacrificing in its nature. Agape love, the love with which Christ loved those He taught and served, is a direction of the will in the best interest of another.

Power is exciting, but love is life-changing!

Miracles may draw a crowd, but love woos them.

Miracles may draw a crowd, but love woos them. Share on X

And the people could see that His authority was appealing instead of oppressive.

At this stage of my life, I LOVE the authority of Christ! But that has not always the case. There have been times where I too responded like the religious leaders in Mark 11:28?

“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

When I rebelled against authority

In high school, I gave my poor parents fits! I was AWFUL as a teenager! As I look back on those times with shame, conviction, I am full of regret. I resented my parents’ authority and in reality, also Christ’s.

Honestly, I did not want to be bossed around or controlled. So it came as no surprise that I hated the rules and boundaries enforced by others.

But where I made my biggest mistake was not recognizing that the authority of my parents, and of Christ, both rested in their unselfish love for me. I was like the religious leaders, not wanting to relinquish my will or rights to the control of another because I wanted to retain the right to do what I wanted, even if it was harmful to myself or others.

But by reaping what I was sowing, I eventually began to see the freedom and protection from the authority of those meant to govern me.

Love began to overshadow rules.

Mind you, love was there all along, I just couldn’t see it.

Just as I gratefully turned to my mother’s authority for her help with my grandmother, I gladly turn to God’s Word for the authority to govern my life and to Him personally for His authority over all that concerns me and mine. Additionally, as a married woman, I am also under the authority of my husband. (I am a work in progress in all these areas). Understood now is the fact that authority is used for my benefit, my good.

I need not fear it nor resent it.

I welcome it!

Why I welcome authority now

Even as I was writing this post, as kids are home from college for spring break and tempers flare between siblings and/or parents, I instinctively dropped to my knees (in private) and gladly called upon the One who has authority over all of us. With excitement and relief, I thrust the responsibility of what concerns me to Him…..HERE!! Take it! Have it! Do something with it!

I recognized in that very moment that yes, I delight now in His authority!

Because I know….

He is All-Powerful!

He is All-Knowing!

And best of all,

He is All-Loving!

If you find that His authority ruffles your feathers, makes you rebel at the thought of Him “controlling” you, then try to understand His motive in exercising it on your behalf.

John 8:18 says,

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.

I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.

This command I received from my Father.”

Because He was willing to lay down His life and “rights” on our behalf, as He willingly went to the cross to pay our sin debt, we can feel safe submitting to Him now.

My friend, we can trust the Man who died for us!

We can feel safe submitting to the One who died for us. Share on X

Who can enjoy His authority?

His authority is where we find true freedom and protection. If you do not know Him as Savior, then run to Him now with this prayer-

Dear Jesus, I confess my rebellion and my sin. I recognize that you have paid the penalty for my wrongs as you died on the cross to save me. I submit to your authority and welcome your rule in and over my life because I recognize the love you have for me. Thank you for your sacrifice. May I now begin living for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now my friend, find you a church to learn more about this loving Savior and His care for you.

Learn for yourself how wonderful it is to be ruled and governed my such a merciful and gracious God!

If you have enjoyed this post or my website, please take a moment and share it on social media or with your family/friends. Thank you!

To His glory and grace!

Gretchen

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