Challenging Authority

The Government's proposals to allow more legal processes to happen in secret have run into serious difficulties. They have been challenged by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, and  the Joint Committee on Human Rights have also strongly criticised the plans. 

It is part of the strength of our legal and government system that challenges are allowed and even encouraged. This does not happen in other parts of the world.

Some people complain that there is still too much agreed and decided behind closed doors, and those who wish to see greater freedom of information are often resisted.

During the week leading up to his arrest and execution, Jesus was repeatedly challenged. He was questioned in public, and then later in secret and illegal court processes, about his identity and his authority. In the Gospel accounts, it is striking that these direct challenges are recorded for us.

'One day as Jesus was teaching the people and preaching the Good News in the Temple, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” (Luke 20.1-2) 

And later, 'Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus.  “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully.  Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Luke 20.20-22)

The opponents of Jesus were seeking to avoid the clear claims of Jesus to reshape their lives and their cosy world of self-interest. He was getting too close for their comfort. So they set up these challenges.

In our different ways, each of us also challenges the authority of Jesus to direct and rule our lives. He is the One sent by his Father to bring us life and hope and forgiveness, and He has the right to shape the direction of our lives, and yet we find ways to wriggle out of doing what He clearly tells us. We develop selective hearing, or get too busy, or merely ignore his teaching and direction. This Holy Week would be a good time to get this sorted.

Best wishes,

Richard