October

Most people drive very sensible and dependable cars. If a friend offered you a ride in a Corvette however, you might jump at the chance!  Corvettes are very beautiful to look at and after some squirming around, impressive to sit in. Riding a few inches off the ground, the owner would put the car through its paces. In first gear you would be thrown back. In second gear, it would feel like the G- force was stretching your face like the astronauts go through during a launch. In third gear you would blow by a truck like it was standing still.

But while you were cruising at about 100 mph. you may come upon a police car and have to quickly slow down. The truck you just breezed passed would slow down and everyone would probably slow down. The ‘vette has power you can be sure, but the police car has authority!

Who is “the authority” in your life? I’m not asking who makes you afraid. A bully may terrorize and a dictator may intimidate, but that is not authority. A person’s “authority” should be gotten by respect and honor. Respect should not be given because it is demanded or because of some real or imagined compulsion, but because it is earned.

There is no one who deserves our honor more than Jesus. Those who heard Him, attested to the fact that He taught as one with authority! He taught people to love their enemies and to do well to those who persecute. He told all who would listen that God wanted people to show their appreciation for His love by how they live their lives and by the sincerity of their hearts, not by the money they put in the Temple treasury.

As important as Jesus’ teachings were and are, Jesus’ authority is based on much more! Leaving His throne in Heaven, Jesus came down to earth and became a substitute for sinners—that means all of us. There was no logic to His sacrifice. Still because of His suffering, stripes, and crucifixion, all who trust in Him as Savior know they are forgiven and life eternal is their future. It is the kind of thing only a loving Lord would do. It’s the kind of action that gives Jesus authority, worthy of our worship. So I ask again, who’s the authority in your life?

The people were amazed at His teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority not as the teachers of the law. (Mark 1:22).

As Lutheran Christians, celebrating once again the Protestant Reformation this month, we place anew our trust in the authority of Jesus Christ our Lord!

(Adapted from Stories from the Lutheran Hour Volume 1 – Rev. Kenneth R. Klaus)

Pastor David

         

revdavidnuss@aol.com