You Have Authority Here

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen. – Mark 16:19-20

Back in February a recording of the Handforth Parish Council’s Zoom meeting went viral. The various council members began bickering with one another and the meeting suddenly descended into chaos and eventually came to exemplify the limitations and frustrations that all of us have felt with online communication. I’m grateful that no meeting that I’ve been a part of has been like this—thanks be to God for our own patient Parish Council members! The Handforth meeting has since been immortalized with an oddly funny phrase: “You have no authority here, Jackie Weaver!” (The t-shirts are for sale.)

Yesterday was the Feast of the Ascension, the day on which the church celebrates Christ’s ascension to the right hand of God the Father. Recorded in both Mark and Luke’s gospel accounts, the idea of Jesus being “taken up” into the stratosphere and disappearing behind the clouds can seem very strange (almost Mary Poppins-esque). Yet the claim that Jesus ascended to the highest possible place in all of creation has profound, and very practical, implications for us as Christians. 

I suspect that most of us don’t often feel powerful. We are easily overwhelmed by the challenges of life—house bills, work deadlines, physical ailments, family responsibilities. 

Rendered insecure by our lack of control in so many areas, we might feel like we don’t have any authority here—“here” being the places of our often-normal life. 

Whatever else The Ascension is about, it is fundamentally about authority: not chiefly ours, but Jesus’. It is the doctrinal basis for Jesus’ claim that “all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.” There is no place or situation over which Jesus does not have authority. There is no greater or higher power. 

What does that mean for us who bear his name—in our doom-scrolling and diaper-changing, in our offices and neighborhoods, in our family conflict and political disagreements? Simply this: when we live in faith, as cooperative partners with Jesus, we are acting in concert with the One who has authority over absolutely everything. Along with the disciples in the early church, you and I act with a power that is greater than our own. 

While we may not always feel it and circumstances may suggest otherwise, you and I can face each day, each of life’s circumstances, however mundane or trying, confident that Jesus rules with wisdom and power over all things. You may even consider praying this prayer at the beginning of each day this week:  

“Lord Christ, I entrust to you this moment, this day’s task, these relational challenges. I ask that you would have authority over it all. Be my ascended Lord this day. Do what only you can do. Show your power. Do what’s right. Be honored in all that I say and do.”

My hope is that you and I would have a sense, even now, of dwelling with Jesus and being authorized to go forth in service and mission, with his power, in our homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods and nation. 

In Christ,

Peter+ (with a major assist from David+)

PS. A quick reminder that we are moving both services indoors on Sunday, May 23rd. There will be no registration required for both the 9 am and 11 am services. We’ll be communicating about this further next week. This move also includes a return to more volunteer opportunities and ownership of our corporate worship. Keep an eye out next week for ways to get plugged in and serve! The 11am service will continue to be live-streamed.

PPS.  This weekend our staff, clergy, and Parish Council are meeting to pray, listen, and plan for the year ahead. I'm so grateful to God for this team of servant leaders. Please pray with us a fruitful and fun time together.