Prayer

Lord as we ponder your words open our hearts that we may understand and know you. Amen 

Sermon    

  Who do we give authority to and why?   We acknowledge the authority of a police officer.  I would say out of, first a sense of respect for the office and the position they hold but also because they represent the law. 

Let’s be honest we fear the law because of the consequences it carries at its deepest level.   Except for the speed limit on six which I’m not sure anyone respects.

We recognize the authority of a Doctor of what I would say is a place that stems from the mystification of knowledge. We see them as being highly educated and trained therefore they must know what they are talking about.  We are at times so afraid of their authority that we will not ask questions or question our doctors because,  well they are the authority and we are not.  They drop some wonderful medical jargon and people say “yes they are a Doctor and therefore we must recognize  their authority. (Don’t get me wrong I truly trust and believe in the Doctors that I deal with) 

 A lawyer is still somewhat the same. But again it is the law and the consequences that we respect and therefore by association we respect the lawyer. 

Politicians?  Well that one is up the air.  

I wonder if we accord someone with the authority when they seem to speak from a place of knowledge 

   Someone can take the title of  “an authority of Wedgewood china” because they have studied the company and its history and perhaps worked for them. Their knowledge and experience  are their  authority.     

I think there is a fine line between authority and respect.   You may not  respect your boss who has authority over you but you may respect a friend who does not have authority over you.     

Authority is a form of power “I am the authority you must listen.”  We listen. True out of respect, sometimes out of fear or just because we have no choice.

 Out of a sense that the person truly cares for the well being of ourselves and the public as a whole.   

Sense of love and a sense of respect   Authority also gives us a sense of security. Of being safe. 

    Would you can go to the doctor who can’t figure out how to put on a band aide? That does not install a great sense of security and so you question their authority.   I think it is truth that authority is also as substantiated with a certain amount of education.     

This Gospel is about to Authority.   The Pharisee set out to catch Jesus out.  Like that worked.  Jesus see what they are up to and catches them at their own game.   

Jesus speaks with authority because he speak with authenticity.  Jesus speaks with an authenticity that is coming from a place of love.  The Pharisees see authority as power and so they come first to Jesus to establish their power.

 But beyond that authority the authority they have is not one of respect but one that comes out of great fear.   The irony of it all is that the Pharisees come at Jesus no necessarily to assert their authority but out of a place of fear themselves for they know that Jesus is speaking with a deep sense of authenticity and they are afraid of the threat that Jesus possess to their authority 

Jesus drives the point home and with the small story about the two sons.

One says I go to help but has no intention on going while the other says “no” but in the end goes to help. 

Honestly both need to be grounded. One is liar and the other cheeky.