Care Conversations 13 | How to use the authority we have been given
We are discussing authority. We have said that when we have been graciously captured by Christ – we are subject to His authority. How does Jesus exercise His authority?
It would be sensible to start with how He describes Himself.
“In the one place in the Bible[1] where the Son of God pulls back the veil and lets us peer way down into the core of who He is, we are not told that He is “austere and demanding in heart.” We are not told that He is “exalted and dignified in heart.” We are not even told that He is “joyful and generous in heart.” Letting Jesus set the terms, His surprising claim is that He is “gentle and lowly in heart.”[2]
This is, in no way, a soft indulgent approach to us as sinners. It is a relational sensitivity and welcoming us to come to Him for restoration.
“He doesn’t handle us roughly. He doesn’t scowl and scold. He doesn’t lash out, the way many of our parents did. And all this restraint on His part is not because He has a diluted view of our sinfulness. He knows our sinfulness far more deeply than we do. Indeed, we are aware of just the tip of the iceberg of our depravity, even in our most searching moments of self-knowledge. His restraint simply flows from His tender heart for His people.”[3]
What can we learn about the authority of Jesus, and consequently how we should exercise authority?
The way we exercise authority must flow from the way that Christ exercises authority in our lives. He does not diminish the awfulness of our sin but seeks to deal with it. His loving authority moves towards us with the goal of restoration.
“The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms.”[4]
Jesus is dismayed by sin and rebellion; He is deeply saddened, even angered, by the depravity of a fallen world and individual offenders. Yet His response is to move towards the sinner with the offer of hope and redemption.
In our responsibility for young people, we need to use our authority gently and with compassion, but without indulgence. We must constantly move forward praying for, and working towards, restoration.
Blessings
Brian
[1] Matthew. 11:28–30
[2] Ortlund, Dane C, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers 2020 Crossway Illinois p18
[3] Ibid p.54
[4] Ibid p 19