Jesus: His Authority

In U.S. Navel Institute Proceedings, the magazine of the Naval Institute, Frank Koch illustrates the importance of obeying the Laws of the Lighthouse. Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.

Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, “Light, bearing on the starboard bow.”  "Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.  The lookout replied, "Steady, Captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.

The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: 'We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.'"  Back came the signal, "Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees."   The captain said, "Send: "I'm a captain, change course twenty degrees.'"  "I'm a seaman second-class," came the reply. "You had better change course twenty degrees."

By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send: 'I'm a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.'"   Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse."

We changed course.  (Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, p. 153.)

The Jewish leaders criticized Jesus for “working” on the Sabbath when he healed an invalid and commanded him to take up his mat and walk.  But he defended himself by revealing where his authority to do such a thing came from: the Father.

The captain of the battleship above made the mistake of believing he had the greatest authority over all things on the water.  Once his mistake was revealed he quickly and rightly gave way to the authority of the lighthouse.  We too must realize that Christ’s authority over us is supreme and comes directly from the Father.

Join us this week as we hear about Christ’s authority given by the Father and how His authority should affect our life as His disciples.  May we all be prayerfully prepared to hear the Word of God and allow His truth to teach us, mold us, and change us as His people.

Striving to know Christ and make Him known,

Mark