AUTHORITY

John 19:1

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.  

A fascinating thing about the Bible is that it teaches a doctrine of responsibility and authority that we’re ignorant of in contemporary America.  

Pilate didn’t personally flog our Lord – tearing His flesh with those awful instruments, so horrific that many even died just from the torture and didn’t have to proceed to the cross.  No, his hands never wielded one of those ghastly whips, full of metal and bone.  But Scripture says that he was responsible.  

In one event of Jesus’ earthly ministry recorded in Luke 7, a centurion asks Him to heal his servant.  Jesus agrees and asks to be led to the place, but the humble Roman doesn’t think he’s worthy to have Jesus under his roof.  “For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  Basically, the centurion tells Jesus, “I know that you are ultimate Authority.  Just say the word.”  Jesus is astonished and proclaims that He hasn’t seen a faith like this anywhere in the land.  What faith?  

The faith that understands authority.  

The Roman understood who Jesus was and that meant that Jesus had authority over everything – even time and space.  He understood that Jesus was Lord everywhere.  He understood the power of authority.  Speak the word, give your consent, and it will be done.  Wow.  This is faith!  

In America we struggle with this glorious doctrine of the authority of God.  We like to think of ourselves as free from every power.  Scripture disabuses us of such nonsense.  We are under the power of the Spirit or the flesh.  Modern Americans hate to be told that they are accountable to anyone and this has bled into the very theology of Christians who don’t fully grasp – or even want to grasp – God’s absolute authority over their lives.  More still, He establishes authorities throughout society, family and church.  

Today we see the utter unraveling of Western civilization due to our insistence upon our own sovereignty.  But we can’t escape authority, for it’s woven into the very fabric of existence and we will be servants of something.  It’s ironic that the most boldly anti-God men and women of the West are the most pro-government.  They have replaced one with the other.  Others replace God’s easy yoke with that of greed, or drugs, alcohol or porn addictions.  What is happening is that we’re either slaves to the Spirit of the living and true God, or slaves to the flesh.  Either we will submit to God’s law, which is faith in His Son, or we will fall into the arms of some sin or tyrant or both.  No one is excused, no one is exempted; we are all under authority.  

Paul often identifies himself in his letters as a slave or bondservant of Christ.  Here today as narcissistic Westerners, living in the lap of luxury and plenty, with our bellies full, we should ask ourselves if we are, indeed, slaves of Christ too.  If not, then our hearts will go off after many varied mistresses and eventually her soft, fragrant embraces will grow cold, terrible, and consuming.  

Also, it’s this Authority – God – who holds men accountable for their actions.  Many try and sever God’s sovereignty from man’s responsibility.  They say, “well, why does He still find fault?  For who can resist His will?”  This question is asked directly in Scripture.  And God answers it!  “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? (Romans 9:19-20)”. Or again, in Job, God asks, “Will a faultfinder contend with the Lord?  (Job 40:2)”.  Be sure that Scripture never divides the two – God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility before Him.  In fact, it’s because of God’s authority that we’re held accountable.  That this mystery bothers churchgoers so much is evidence that sin is still in us.  It should cause humble reflection to the glory of God.  Instead we fix our minds upon it but neglect the greater mysteries of God – like the unity and diversity of life, the incarnation, the ontological trinity, and so much more – because this one strikes at our alleged autonomy.  

Instead, rest upon that authority like the centurion did.  Revel in it.  Glorify God because of it!  And pray, as the Psalmist did, again and again, for the ability to keep God’s Word with your whole heart.  Don’t make for yourself a little god because you’re afraid of His sovereignty because it’s exactly that authority that makes His grace and love for you both amazing and secure.  Only then can you say that you’re free!  Free from sin and the fear of men, of circumstances and life’s failures.  A faith that doesn’t know God’s authority is a feeble one, always afraid, always timid.  That kind of faith is like the story of a man in Colonial America who came to a frozen river.  Fearful that he’d fall through the ice, he crawled slowly on his belly, one excruciating inch at a time.  Then, from behind him he heard a racket.  A caravan of horses, men and a wagon approached and they crossed the ice with nary a worry, for they knew how truly thick it was.  

That man stood up and laughed at himself as we should too when we’re afraid.  Go on, Christian soldier.  Go on.  Stand on the faith that knows the authority of Christ and don’t you be afraid.  He will hold you up.  He will not lose you or forsake you.  And if you are firm in this faith that knows His power, you’ll be firm in life too (Isaiah 7:9).  And you will stand, not crawl.