What Kind of Authority Do You Have?

In the Gospel of St Luke 4:32 it is said: “They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority” What is that authority of Jesus in contrast with the authority that the scribes? In this juncture, let us all together use a little bit of psychology. We can at least identify two kinds of authority.

The first kind of authority originates from the title or name given by the society to the person. The examples of this kind are our parents, priests, government officials, doctors, policemen, judges, lawyers, managers, CEO and the like. There is authority in these people on account of who they are. Whether your parents are rich or poor, pleasant or unpleasant, they are still your parents and you surely cannot deny that they have authority over you. Whether Government Officials are honest or corrupt, responsible or irresponsible, they have authority to govern and enforce the law. I am a priest, whether you like me or not I have certain authority as priest. This is the first kind of authority, the authority that originates with the title of person.

The second kind of authority originates from expertise. Let us look on Mozart, Beethoven, Leonardo the Vinci or Shakespeare. They have authority in music, arts and literature. These peoples’ authority comes from experience with knowledge. This authority is not given by someone else, but an authority that springs from within them. And this kind of authority inspires followers and edifies people.

Have you ever experienced for example, meeting a person who never finished high school or never went to school and yet you can see and witness in his or her life a testimony of a lifetime of worthwhile experiences and a wealth or a fountain of wisdom. You are drawn to this kind of person, because you are inspired by this person.

The Scribes had authority because of their person, because of their title. They are like the parents, priests, government officials. etc. They have authority because of their function in the society. Jesus, the carpenter on the other hand, is like the masters of music, arts and literature. He has that kind of authority that inspires people to be with God and to do His will.

All of us have the first kind of authority but let us not stop there. Let us be like Jesus whose authority is beyond title. Let us aspire to an authority that edifies, inspires, and encourages others to live life to the fullest by doing and obeying God’s will.