Today’s readings focus on the topic of “authority,” which needs to be understood biblically. In Leviticus 1-8, we have seen all the various offerings, confusing though they may be to us. Now we come to Leviticus 9, where we see in action exactly how these prescribed sacrifices were designed to work to bring about atonement for the people. By God’s authority, Moses directed Aaron to offer up sacrifices for himself, his sons, and the people. At the end of verse 4, Moses said, “For today, the LORD will appear to you.” Aaron simply obeyed – he did what Moses commanded him to do. He followed the instructions laid out for him in this book. We read that, upon obedient and faithful completion of Aaron’s tasks, “the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people” (verse 23). The road of faithful obedience is what leads us to the blessings and the presence of God in our lives. It is that simple.
However, by horrible contrast, we come immediately to the sin and sorrow of Leviticus 10, where we see that Aaron’s own sons – Nadab and Abihu – “offered unauthorized fire before the LORD” (verse 1). Whatever possessed them to do this? Clearly, they acted outside of their authority and mishandled their priestly responsibilities, for which reason, they were straightway put to death. Recently installed as priests, Nadab and Abihu engaged in and experimented with profane worship which violated the holiness of God and dishonored Him. God tells us, “Among those who approach me, I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored” (verse 3). In verse 10, which outlines the purpose of the book of Leviticus, God says, “You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean." If we learn anything at all from this chapter, may we recognize that authority is not to be toyed with.
In Psalm 29, we are commanded to “ascribe” to God all authority. The word “ascribe” means “to give [especially, written] account for” someone or something – specifically – to honor a person by recognition or acknowledgement for due credit. Self-seeking honor or recognition is tantamount to pride which has no basis in biblical authority. Therefore, it is wholly foreign to the Scriptures. All authority belongs exclusively to God alone; we are not meant to desire it or to possess it. We are meant to respect biblical authority and its holy Source.
Mark 11:27–12:12 ties in perfectly with our readings in Leviticus 9-10 and in Psalm 29. In Mark 11, the real issue is not from where Jesus received His authority (He demonstrated His authority by His unmatched actions). The real problem focuses on the pride of the Pharisees. They were authority-seekers – jealous of Christ’s authority because they “feared the people” (Mark 11:32), and they were afraid of losing their influence before them. This is usually the problem among those who act as leaders solely for the power and recognition that come with authority. This posture continues today. Authority-seekers desire to lord it over others and to use their authority gainfully to glorify themselves. Biblically, we must eschew such motivations by avoiding the sinful desires and temptations that accompany positions of authority. Whether we are of low or high estate – whenever we are called to serve, to lead, or to speak the truth (i.e., the Word of God), we must do so humbly and recognize that we are already speaking with all the authority and finality of God’s Word. The truth stands on its own authority and merits; it needs no additional or external support. We don’t need to wonder if we have authority or not. Truth is able to support and sustain its own weight, so we must never seek or desire any further authority than the truth itself. To do so lacks trust in the truth and its Source, and it borders on pride.
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