The Third Saturday After Pentecost
"By what authority..." Perhaps this is our last defensive mode. The question itself indicates we have moved past engagement with another and are defensively looking for a way to ignore another. Occasionally perhaps we are seeking to get past a block in us by way of some source or value we hold in common.
When I was recently traveling a less known roadway at a certain speed and was pulled over, I knew by what authority this was done. I just was not clear I was speeding so much. Seems I missed a sign a few yards back. My "Yes sir" and my lack of awareness was the only authority left to me. I suspect it was my grandfatherly face that got me off with a warning. Had I said, "By what authority..." or like some movie star or politician, "Do you know who I am..." I would surely have a piece of costly paper in my possession.
Jesus has arrived in Jerusalem on his end journey and is teaching about the reign of God. People are spell bound, listen, perhaps grow in hope and in a different engagement than before. Some have come to offer worship to God by the usual route of sacrifice. Jesus has just criticized the Temple as a place of too much religious commerce. I think of never ending bake sales, or the book rack that overtakes quiet reflection, or catching up on the latest community gossip when one might be more deeply reflecting on purpose.
As he speaks there is no status quo. His portrait of this reign turns things around. "Turn the other cheek..." "Like a woman kneading bread" God's reign grows in secret places. Regain the innocence of lost youth in God's will sought and the Reign comes close. "Who is my neighbor?" Is she really found in such unexpected places as a Samaritan, someone I am given permission to block from my social engagement? I do not know what story he is sharing except that Luke sees it as the good news.
One day, as he was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders and said to him, 'Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?' Luke 20:1-2
We suspect by context that this is mostly a defensive question. In the past with rare exception, that of Nicodemus, the questions have been largely thus. This is the sort of question which is readying the response before it is answered. It leads to no insight for it is not wanted. One wonders what room there is in the question for the mysterious movement of God or Spirit. Law, rules, authority are easier for our limiting categories.
Jesus answered them, '" will also ask you a question, and you tell me:" Luke 20:3
Question begets question. This is often the route to deeper things like the mysterious movement of God.
"Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" Luke 20:4
They will not answer the question or openly discuss it we are told. It is not so simple. It rises from both sides, from God's expectation of our living in a way that reflects God and our hearts so desiring this too. It rises from the rhythm of insight, repented, forgiveness, starting again to live into God's care.
If this is true of John, it is true of Jesus and it is potentially true for all people. The place of authority then shifts from simply those set apart to speak of high and holy things and becomes open to all who seek. Authority happens in our encounter with the deep hope in God planted in us from the get go. Authority arises from the One who grounds the best of people and institutions more than institutions themselves.
Authority comes as God passes through "The low lintel of the human heart." (E. Underhill) And there begins to enlarge us. Suddenly or slowly we begin to see and grow toward good and better things.
How do you tell authorities that God's authority is this love that burns away the limits we impose upon our hearts. Such limits become visible when we ask "By what authority..."
When we should ask, "By what Love..." do we envision our rising to good and better things there is One peering beneath "The low lintel of the human heart."
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