Today’s scripture: John 7:45-53 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
I have a peculiar problem with authority. Throughout my life I’ve been relatively iconoclastic, making high school English teachers cry and leaving my parents convinced that only by the grace of God would anything good come from my life. My doctor throws up his hands when I refuse to take tests for diagnoses for which I have no symptoms; “You’re at the age you’re supposed to!” he says. For some years my theme song was John Mellencamp’s I Fight Authority; Authority Always Wins. Those in authority probably perceive me to be some sort of loose cannon.
This passage from John’s Gospel deals with authority. While Jesus was celebrating Succoth in Jerusalem, the crowds began to think that maybe the high priests and Pharisees weren’t arresting Jesus because the religious authorities believed that he was the Messiah (John 7:26). Hearing this, the religious authorities sent out their police force to make the arrest (John 7:32).
But the police returned empty-handed, defying their bosses. When asked why, they said, “Never has someone spoken like this!” Just like the response of the people at the end of the Sermon on the Mount: “…the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28b, 29). The high priests and Pharisees then reverted to an argument often used by those in authority: “Just do what we say because we said so; we are the ones in authority” (my loose paraphrase of verses 47–49).
How is it that Jesus spoke like no other? Such spiritual authority begins, I believe, from a disciplined study of the religious tradition and its most knowledgeable interpreters. Jesus knew the scriptures of his faith. Throughout his ministry he could proof-text with the best of them. But that’s the same authority that the chief priests and Pharisees used, too. Turning to Nicodemus who suggested that some due process would be appropriate, they said, “Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee” (verse 52b).
Spiritual authority begins from a disciplined study of the religious tradition; yes, and mediated by the Holy Spirit. That’s the key. The Holy Spirit frees us from the past, from ourselves, from authority so that we are liberated to know God more fully, to proclaim God’s grace, and to do God’s will. Spiritual authority doesn’t depend on what the other guy feels or thinks, or thinks of us. Spiritual authority emanates from the indwelling Spirit, speaking forth the Word of God, in such a way that lives are transformed, starting with mine.
Thought for the day: Probably the best thing I can do today is to struggle with the Spirit until I receive the spiritually authoritative revelation God has for me.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.