Read today’s texts first: Job 23,24; Mark 11,12
MAXIMize YOUR DAY
You can only have real authority when you
come under authority.
come under authority.
Today’s readings involve questions about God’s actions from two different sources. Job is ‘boil’ing mad about God’s silence during his painful test. The religious rulers are uptight about what Jesus has been up to, which just in the last few hours has included parading as king through Jerusalem, overturning tables in the temple, and cursing unfruitful fig trees. They ask point-blank, “who gave you the authority to do these things?”
Jesus often answers a question by asking another question, probing for motive. When He uncovered the fact that they were more concerned with pleasing people than God, He dismissed them. Mark 12 relates several subsequent attempts by the Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees and scribes to trap Jesus with their questions, always challenging His authority. Jesus finally contrasts their pretext of spirituality with the real thing – the poor widow giving secretly and sacrificially at the temple treasury.
You can only have real authority when you come under authority. It’s one of the many paradox principles in Scripture, like dying before living, giving before receiving, serving before leading. Before we can command authority, we must first quietly submit to God’s authority. Jesus modeled that for us right up to His death on the cross: “not my will but Thine be done.” The widow got it – the religious leaders didn’t!
Job figured it out slowly, over the course of his affliction: He is unique, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such decrees are with Him (23:13,14). Job gradually resigned himself to God’s will, finally realizing that as Creator, He can do whatever He wants. Fortunately, He also happens to be a loving Father and Father knows best!
“Lord, may I learn this lesson the easy way. If I expect to have the kind of authority that moves mountains (Mark 11:23,24), then I had better settle the question of Who is in charge. Jesus, You have the rights to all of my life, bought and paid for by your own act of submission to Your Father on the cross. I get it!”
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