Last week we explored a subversive story Jesus told about laborers in a vineyard, in which those hired last got paid the same as those who worked all day. After telling this tale, he healed two blind men. This was all a bit much for the religious leaders investigating him; they had to confront him. “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” they ask him. “Who’s backing you? Who is ultimately responsible for what you’re saying and doing?”
We all carry bits of paper and plastic around with us, which we use to buy things. These derive their value from what backs them up. The dollar bill is only “worth the paper it’s printed on” because the U.S. Treasury has issued it. A letter of introduction to someone who might give you a job has value because of the person who signed it.
Jesus’ teaching and miracles had value because they were evidence of the power of the God who backed him. Those who believed that he represented the Living God were fine with that. Those who thought they knew God better had their doubts. Hence their question, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”
It’s a good question for us, as we seek to offer love, peace, healing and justice in God’s name. We know our world is full of people doing all kinds of things in the name of God as they understand God – how do we justify our ministries in the name of a force no one can see or prove?
The first answer is – we can’t. Not fully. Not to someone who is sure there is no God, or no creator who interacts with his/her creation. And we don’t have to try to “prove God.” We are only to bear witness to what we see and know, and to help generate evidence for others to respond to – and then be around when their questions burble up.
We should speak and act in the name of God often – that’s what it means to bear witness to what we see and know. So when we serve a meal at a shelter or spend time with a sad friend because we feel called by God to do so – let’s say so. When we hear of a situation over which we are powerless (even wildfires, hurricanes and elections) let’s offer to pray, and say it’s because we believe God’s power is at work in the world.
How do we evaluate whether an action is by God’s authority? Just becomes an action comes from a church does not mean it represents the authority of God – some religious organizations issue hate-filled fundraising letters. We learn to ask: what spiritual fruit does it bear? Christians have been given criteria. One is, do we see evidence of the Holy Spirit? Do we see good fruit? Is there more peace? Does it lead to freedom?
Another criterion: Is that action consistent with the revelation we received from Jesus, or in Scripture? This last is a pretty wide field – our scriptures contain accounts of many things that are not the fruit of the Spirit. I’d lean toward Jesus – is it consistent with what he did and taught? If you’re unsure, ask a brother or sister in community to help you discern.
By whose authority do we do the things we do? If it’s by the authority of God in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, let people know it. We have been given access to an incredible inheritance already, here and now – immense spiritual power. God didn’t mean for that to stay in a bank vault. We carry the cards, the cash, the checks to spread that spiritual wealth around. Let’s use it. Who’s in your wallet?
To receive Water Daily by email each morning, subscribe here. Next Sunday’s readings are here.
Water Daily is now a podcast - so far on Spotify,Google, PocketCasts, Overcast and RadioPublic. Coming soon to more platforms - look for it wherever you get your podcasts, and please subscribe.
No comments:
Post a Comment