Calvin Synod Herald, 2017 (118. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2017-09-01 / 9-10. szám
10 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Text: Matthew 28:18-20 All Authority in Heaven and Earth A citizen entered a government building and spoke to the person at the desk: “I’m looking for someone with a little authority.” The official behind the desk replied: “You’ve come to the right place; I’ve got as little authority as you can find around here.” That’s reminiscent of a Mr. Buffo cartoon which pictured Earl Buffo sitting at his desk behind a name plate with his name and position: Earl Buffo, Second Assistant to the Associate Clerical Aide to the Junior Vice-President of Local Interoffice Files.” Certainly, it’s frustrating not to have very much authority. Sometimes it’s even more burdensome to have responsibility and inadequate authority. Teachers sometimes feel that way these days. It’s like overseeing the lemmings by the waterside—responsible to stop their suicidal rush but limited in power to do something about it. Or to change the metaphor: Responsibility without adequate authority is like being called upon to rotate the garden with a spoon. I once served a church located near a busy intersection. The marquee style church sign near the intersection listed service times but also a thought for the day. One week it displayed Bob Dylan’s phrase, “You gotta serve somebody.” One morning I looked out the church office window to see a Pierce County, Washington, sheriff’s car sitting beneath the sign, the vehicle strategically hidden by bushes. The Sheriff waited for someone to make a “California stop.” As Dylan sang, “You may be a doctor, you may be a chief, but you gotta serve somebody.” Whom do you serve? Whose authority do you recognize? Who is your supreme authority? Once the Accuser had offered Jesus ill-gotten authority: “All the kingdoms of the world if you bow to me.” (Matthew 4:9) St. Matthew’s gospel presents us with a series of confrontations between Jesus and the Jerusalem authorities. The leaders were amazed, we’re told, because this upcountry bumpkin from Nazareth spoke so authoritatively. Now today, as the Risen One, he simply says, “All authority is given to me in heaven and earth,” I once heard of a woman who told her friend she had joined a liberal church. “How do you know it’s liberal?” the friend asked. “Well, they don’t have ten commandments. They have three commandments and seven suggestions.” According to the gospels, Jesus was not prone to suggestions. No little hints. No pamphlets containing “Seven recommendations for spiritual improvement.” Jesus commanded: “Follow me!” “Love one another!” “Go and make disciples!” “Teach what I have commanded you.” In today’s terminology, “Just do it!” Once we come to terms with the fact we’re not “master of our fate or captain of our soul,” it’s reassuring to know who is. If Jesus is Lord, then Caesar is not. If Jesus is Lord, then Uncle Sam is not. If Jesus is Lord then those preacher princelings who strut about the TV stage are not. But in our human logic we’re prone to mutter, “Just who does he think he is bossing us around like that?” Exactly! Just who is he? And what does he say? “All authority is delegated to me.” (Matthew 28:18) I thought one of the most fragile moments in U.S. history took place after President Reagan was shot. Alexander Haag stood in front of the White House, with the cameras clicking, and assured us that everything was under control since he was in charge. He was an appointed Chief of Staff with no constitutional authority. We continue to hear irresponsible authoritative claims. Traditionally the church has looked to the preached word to better understand Christian authority. But the Protestant principle teaches us that fallible words may flow from the pulpit. Those in the pew are to weigh these words, not just buy them wholesale. A little boy, son of the minister, was watching his father write his sermon. “Daddy,” he asked, “does God tell you what to say?” “Er-er-er yes, my son,” came the hesitant reply. “Well,” said the boy, “why do you cross out so much?” The question is this. Whose disciples are we? He is our Savior. But do we live daily according to his authority? I have a Muslim friend with whom I have an occasional lunch. I’m seeking to speak with him about Christ and the church ... I have a Hindu student in English. I bought him a Bible. He’s been reading in the Gospel according to St. John. I’m seeking to respond to Christ’s authority. Albert Schweitzer, son of a Lutheran pastor in Alsace- Lorraine, an organist, physician and theologian, left fame behind, to found a hospital in Lambaréné, West Central Africa. At the end of his famous book on Christ, he said: He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those who knew him not. He speaks to us the same word: ‘Follow thou me!’ and sets us to the tasks which he has to fulfill for our time. He commands. And to those who obey Him, whether they be wise or simple, He will reveal himself in the tasks, the conflicts, the sufferings which they pass through in His fellowship, and, as an ineffable mystery, they shall learn in their own experience Who He Is. (The Quest for the Historical Jesus) David B. Bowman (Rev.)
