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Who gave you this authority?

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We are in extraordinary times. In order to enforce social distancing the government has authorised the police to stop gatherings of groups of people, and to deter us from behaviour deemed to put ourselves or others at risk.

But there have been some problems with this. On occasions the police have been accused of ‘over-stepping the mark’, by giving orders and taking action outside of their remit. In other instances people have defied their valid instructions and questioned their authority.

Jesus encountered a great deal of hostility from the religious leaders in Israel. He spoke with great authority, which impressed the common people.

…he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes

Mark 1:22

In those days, when preaching, it was custom and practice to refer to the words of famous rabbis. But instead of this this Jesus often said “I say to you”. He even contradicted the teachers of the day, because they were imposing their own traditions rather than the commandments of God.

“…you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition”

Mark 7:9

The religious leaders, ignoring all the evidence of God’s power at work in his miracles, and the persuasive nature of his teaching, asked him:

‘Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Or who is he who gave you this authority?”

Luke 20:2.

In fact, Jesus claimed to speak with the full authority of the highest power in the universe: He spoke the words of his Father, Almighty God.

I do nothing of myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things (John 8:28).

Even a Roman centurion, who was very important, acknowledged the fact that Jesus was acting under a high authority. He said to Jesus;

“I also am a man under authority”

Matthew 8:9

This means that the words of Jesus are very important. Jesus never overstepped the mark. So we should not challenge his authority or his importance. His words are from God Himself and it is utter folly to ignore or to dismiss them.

He said:

The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life

John 6:63

He also warned:

For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).

The police are fallible, sometimes not acting with full permission. But there are consequences if we disobey them and break the law of the land. In contrast, Jesus had full permission, always acting on God’s behalf, who has now given him ultimate authority.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth’”

Matthew 28:18

There are dire consequences for us if we ignore Jesus. Let us all take notice of what he said to us, and prepare for his coming.

Wartime Spirit

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At times of crisis we change our behaviour.  A crisis can bring out the best or the worst in us. Some people are selfish and even disobey authority for their own pleasure or personal gain. For others personal conflicts, tensions and even estrangement can pale into insignificance when we have a common ‘enemy’.  Priorities change. Such people are altruistic, selfless and self-sacrificing. This happened in World War 2 and it is happening during this Coronavirus pandemic.

It is not pleasant to have an enemy. They are at best rivals. They are not ‘on the same side’ and they are usually openly hostile. They threaten our well-being and even our lives. So it is shocking to read in the Bible that we are naturally ‘enemies’ of God.  How can this be? Of course, we can never be a threat to God’s existence, because He is the one who gives us life. Nor can we limit is power and knowledge, because He knows everything and nothing is too hard for Him. But we are, by natural instinct, opponents of God, ‘not on the same side’: disobedient. This would seem like a desperate predicament. We are powerless against Him.

And you who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 

Colossians 1:21

But such Bible passages about enemies are all about believers who have been transformed by their faith in Jesus Christ. They were enemies of God, but are now on God’s side. And in this honoured position they are guaranteed the love of Jesus (Romans 8:35-39).

This is all possible because of the ultimate act of selflessness. Jesus gave up his life on the cross to reconcile us to God (Romans 5:10). And this is the only way that we can be saved from our natural predicament.

We all have the common enemy of death. And because we all disobey God, we all die. But God promises that one day even this enemy will be taken away

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:26

 God has a plan for ‘His’ people: those who believe Him and follow Jesus. In the meantime we have still to work at not being His enemies. We have a fight to fight: the fight against our natural ungodly attitudes.

Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13 (see also 1 Timothy 6:12)

This sounds impossible, but God has promised success to those who really believe and truly try to do what He asks. And we have a guidebook for this warfare, telling us what the true wartime spirit should be. The Bible.

The Real Meaning of Easter

Eastertime is here! A time of happiness, especially for children. In this current crisis our shops may be low on some essentials, but there have been plenty of chocolate eggs on the shelves. Eggs to bring joy. As long ago as Anglo-Saxon times (maybe even earlier) eggs were used to signify the end of winter and the happier time of spring. Symbols of new life springing forth. Hope!


Eggs have long been associated with Easter

Shortages in our shops is unusual. Not so elsewhere in the world. In some countries there can be threat of mass starvation, often caused by rain and drought. In these places there is much excitement when the rains eventually do come and the first crops appear. Despair turns to hope and the people celebrate these ‘firstfruits’; a sign of a harvest to come. The danger of perishing is much reduced.

‘Firstfruits’ are mentioned in the Bible, notably in the context of the resurrection of Jesus. He was crucified at the time of the Jewish celebration of Passover. This, like Easter, was in spring and its timing varied from year to year according to the lunar months. But, unlike any other person, he then rose from the dead to everlasting life. Never to die again.

“but now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [died]” .

1 Corinthians 15:20

During the first Passover, the Hebrews had to paint the blood of a lamb on their door frames.

The resurrection of Jesus is a core belief of Christianity. It was the central message of the first century apostles. In fact, the whole of Christianity would be futile – utterly worthless and a waste of time – without the amazing resurrection of Jesus. This event is the world’s greatest wonder: mentioned dozens of times in the New Testament, and promised in the Old Testament. On the Sunday after the crucifixion the stone was rolled away from the tomb revealing no body. This was always part of God’s plan to save an otherwise dying world.

“Then Paul….reasoned with them from the scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying:

‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ’… because He [God] has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

Acts 17:2,3,31

Christians have always believed in an after-life. Christ’s resurrection is the sure and true foundation of this hope. He rose from the dead. So can his followers. He is the ‘firstfruits’: believers are the full harvest.

“…in Christ shall all be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at his coming”

1 Corinthians 15:22, 23

In poorer countries the firstfruits give hope of extended life. Jesus’ resurrection to everlasting life is an even more important and hopeful ‘firstfruits’. We should be unspeakably grateful to God, and make sure we are truly “Christ’s at his coming”.