I’m going to hold these truths self-evident:

Preschoolers demonstrate human authority issues precisely. Observe a preschool classroom and see… We are all, deep down, tyrants with an over-riding desire to Have Our Way in all things, at all times. A two-year-old mid-tantrum illustrates the truth of the human heart in high decibel authenticity… 

Further, the “civilizing influences” of years on the planet merely teach us to hide this desire for supreme authority. We secretly wrestle with megalomania all our lives.

Two episodes this past Wednesday had me cogitating on authority issues – my own, and the ones so loudly prevalent in our general cultural conversation right now.

First episode: A government base where Mark and the girls and I headed in the predawn dark Wednesday morning. Our objective was to procure dependent ID cards for the girls and I, to complete the administrative process of Mark’s retirement from the Navy. We arrived half an hour prior to the office opening time of 6 am. Excited to be early, we encountered the Gate Guard, who was determined that nobody headed to the ID office would be allowed onto the base until 6 am.

That guard had very little authority. In fact, the extent of her authority was letting people onto the base – or making them wait. But she wielded that authority like Babe Ruth once wielded a baseball bat, but with angrier vocal accompaniment. There was no getting past her. Literally. There was no ignoring her (loud) authority.

Second episode: Later Wednesday, streaming the Vice- Presidential debate. Big authority issues on the table. Either Trump or Biden will be the oldest President ever inaugurated this coming January. That fact makes for an unusually high probability of the Vice President becoming President during the next administration, regardless of which party is elected. Vice President Pence and Senator Harris are, therefore, running as back-ups who are likely be calling the shots and running the plays personally in the next four years. Establishing themselves as legitimate authorities was therefore a huge priority in the debate.

Beyond that, authority issues masqueraded as hot-button topics throughout the evening. The debate purported to address economics, social justice, COVID containment, military strategy, political legacies, etc., but the underlying substance included the following:

• Whose authority is legitimate, and why?
• In proving authority (or lack thereof), which sources of evidence are valid, and why?
• How much authority should the government wield over the public, and why? Does that authority extend to people’s private lives? Their beliefs? Why (not)?
• How much authority does the government actually have over the economy, and how does that authority translate into action?
• What makes any historical record authoritative? Who has authority to designate official history? Who has authority to determine which version of history will be taught in public schools?
• Who has authority to determine how to interpret authoritative texts (the Constitution, for example) – and is there a point at which an elected authority can rightfully set aside such authoritative texts?

I could list such authority questions ad infinitum. Soberingly, such questions show that every issue on the table in the election / in our divided society of 2020 is, at root, an authority issue.

Getting at that root is tricky business.

Authority… or … anarchy?

Contrast the clear authority of the Gate Guard on the base with the competing claims and perspectives of the Vice-Presidential debaters.

The guard, for all her grumpiness, was clearly identified by badge and uniform as the person authorized to make decisions about comings and goings at that gate. Unpleasant demeanor aside, her right to be where she was, doing what she was doing, was beyond dispute. Further, she did the job – a clearly defined, measurable job. (Under her watch, there was zero unauthorized access to that base!)

By contrast, the Vice-Presidential candidates disagreed not only on how to do the job for which they are competing – they disagreed on the nature of the job itself. This is akin to a competitor for the Gate Guard’s job presenting himself for evaluation and announcing that the job of guarding the gate has changed and will now involve performance art and artisan bread-making onsite.

How can rightful authority be established or objective evaluation of job performance happen when the definition of authority and job is mired in such subjective, amorphous contentiousness?

BIG PICTURE Authority Issues… and the Answer:

We live in a time of diminishing authority figures, especially those with clear parameters of responsibility like the Gate Guard. Public cynicism about authority figures – and even about authoritative institutions – is at low ebb, and ebbing lower. But in the absence of reliable authority figures – without anyone guarding the gate – chaos and confusion inevitably gain the upper hand. (History demonstrates this principle, cyclically. So does our preschool classroom example: without a teacher physically present, pandemonium invariably ensues.)

What we humans need, then, is some authority which exists outside and over history. What we require is some authority which remains stable and solid, no matter how tumultuous circumstances might get.

And what we get, in Jesus, is just that.

² Some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” ³ Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” ⁴ But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? ⁵ For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? ⁶ But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” ⁷ And he stood up and went to his home. ⁸ When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

(Matthew 9:2 – 8)

Jesus’s all-encompassing authority is on spectacular display in this story. He has authority to heal. He has authority to teach. He has authority to forgive sins. By inference, then, Jesus has authority over our bodies. Jesus has authority over our minds. And Jesus has authority over our moral template. (Jesus must define what constitutes “sin,” since Jesus has authority to forgive sins.)

How do we know Jesus’s authority is authentic and rightful? Because it has power – it changes things, it changes people. Because that power is trustworthy – Jesus does what He says He will do. Because that power is absolute – Jesus follows through on His commitments, even when the action required is technically impossible. (What are miracles, really, except instances of God exercising His authority as Creator over Creation?)

Jesus, as the ultimate Promise-Keeper, enables and draws validity from His authority through His persistent faithfulness.

Under authority / covered by Christ

Jesus offers us the same gifts Jesus has always offered those who believe Him and acknowledge His authority: Healing. Forgiveness. Hope. Comfort. Rest. A firm foundation, and a protective shelter.

Jesus reassures us that none of our chaos surprises or threatens Him: “In this world, you will face persecution. But take courage! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

And Jesus reminds us that even though our contemporaries may be confused about the nature and extent of their authority, He is crystal clear on His own: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

All authority. Always.

MY Authority Issues:

My frustration when I confronted the Gate Guard’s authority was a toddler’s frustration: I was tired, I was cranky, and she was in the way of me getting my way!

My frustration when I watched the Vice-Presidential debate was an older person’s frustration: there is no way I am going to get my way, and I accept that… but where is the rightful authority here, and why does this process look so much like a collective temper tantrum?

Authority. Not an Issue.

So, Wednesday was a rough day for my inner two-year-old. But Wednesday was also a gift of humility and clarity. Working through all my confusion and frustration, God reminded me of the fundamental truths which tether me safely to Himself:

Regardless of who is guarding what gate, and irrespective of who wins or loses this election (or any other), Jesus has the authority. Jesus is over us; we are safe, under Jesus’s authority.

Best of all, even if all other authorities fail us absolutely, Jesus’s authority will prevail.

²⁰ God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come.

(Ephesians 1:21)