Authority

One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Luke 20:1–8
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Authority
We like authority only when we are the ones yielding it. We like to be the one in charge. And if we are able to have authority, we will do anything to keep it and avoid giving it up. Yet there is truly only one Authority in the world and that is Christ Jesus. By His power and might, through His Word and Sacraments, He reigns over all. And it is under His authority that He allows others to rule and govern.  The problem comes though when we see ourselves as the source of authority. When this happens God’s Word too often gets pushed aside and our word is the final word.  Jesus would not allow detractors to take away His right to teach in the temple and His teaching still commands authority and priority today over all other teaching. We are all subject to His reign and the wisdom of His Word. It is for that reason we are to pray for bold faith that rightly honors Christ and His prophets. And in His authority, He claims us as His holy temple, that He may rule our hearts in forgiveness, peace, and love.