Authority of Love

In the past, people in positions of “authority” were stronger. For instance, national leaders, teachers, and parents were well regarded and trusted. Those authorities naturally operated within specific rules or expectations tied to their roles. I recall my childhood, where I would follow the guidance of my parents, teachers, and other authority figures without questioning whether it was right or wrong. However, we often observe nowadays that the concept of ‘authority’ has weakened, and people are no longer inclined to blindly trust or follow ‘authority’ that was once considered beyond questioning.

It makes you think about what’ authority’ really means. Why did we trust and follow those ‘authorities’ in the past, and should we continue to do so now? What qualifies someone as an authority? This Sunday’s readings talk about these topics of authority and give good examples of different ways to understand it.

Conflicting of authority

Let’s get into Mark’s gospel. Jesus and his newly called disciples enter Capernaum. On the Sabbath, Jesus enters the local synagogue and begins teaching. They were surprised at His teaching, which was so powerful, so confident, and so authentic, and quoted like the religion scholars. Then they said, “for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” They exclaimed, “What this? This is an authoritative new teaching. Even unclean and evil spirits obey his commands!” The people had faced something in Jesus’ teaching and actions that was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Mark describes it as ‘authority’. The term ‘authority’—exousia in Greek—is understood in the strong sense of divine power. The religious leaders often relied on assembling and presenting the teachings of those of authority who had gone before them. While they continue to study and teach the Torah, they are actually promoting themselves and upholding their own traditions. This is not authority; it is ‘Authoritarianism’. However, according to the gospels, Jesus didn’t typically do this. Instead, he simply taught what he thought, as though the truth of what he said was self-evident. He taught “as one having authority” rather than as one who needed to appeal to an external authority.

Authority over the unclean spirit

While the people who were absorbed in Jesus’ teaching were listening, suddenly, an ‘impure’ man was deeply disturbed and yelled out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!” Look at Jesus’ authority! “Quiet and get out of him!” Jesus shut him up, and the afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly, and got out. The gathered people discovered a new and distinctive authority in Jesus’ words; the second time was when he ‘healed’ the man. His gospel is a healing word and action. His gospel has offered inside the synagogue his teaching of freedom, a word and act that heals the human being. I sometimes describe the church as the factory where people who are a bit messed up come in and are transformed before being sent back out into the world. This is where the divine and authoritative ministry of Jesus is present. Words are never just words in the Bible; when Jesus speaks, things happen. In those days, a person with an unclean spirit was not allowed to participate in the ordinary things of life; they were considered contagious and to be avoided. But Jesus shows a different way. He doesn’t avoid the person with the unclean spirit. Instead, he engages with the spirit and sends it away, which heals the afflicted person and allows them to be reintegrated into normal life; this is the heart of His ministry, and this is why His teaching has authority.

In the Gospels, we witness Jesus goes to religious locations and rid them of unclean spirits or demonic forces, and the authorities react violently. Jesus’ earthly ministry overturns many of our long-held social notions and views. Then, it could imply that the ‘evil spirit or unclean spirit’ refers to those who perpetrate injustice in society, those who misuse their authority and power to control others, the voices of the demonic, and the ‘followers of Jesus’ who are mere talkers and not doers.

Authority of Love

Now, to look at a contrasting model of authority, let’s turn to Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church. Paul is concerned about the misuse of authority, particularly the immature use of knowledge and teaching. He emphasises the importance of love taking priority over the knowledge: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.“ In other words, knowledge might make us proud, but love truly builds up. When truth is handled without considering the rule of love, it can be hurtful and inflict wounds, unlike what we witnessed in Jesus. Paul points out that just claiming something as true because something doesn’t set everyone free and build them up. In the hands of those who lack wisdom, maturity, and compassion, truth can be wielded arrogantly and oppressively.

While truth can still bring freedom, it can also be misused to create fear and doubt and keep people disempowered. Paul has a clear view: What is considered right is secondary in importance to what is loved. In other words, truth can bring freedom, but when it is misused, it can crack relationships, keep people from opening up to each other, and cause the church community to lose its vitality. So, Paul is emphasising that being loving is more important.

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus moves away from authority based on established office—I’m the rabbi, therefore listen—or on appeal to established tradition—I’m quoting the experts, therefore listen. Meanwhile, Paul critiques the assertion of authority built merely on the ability to prove oneself right: ‘I can win the argument, therefore listen.’

We are a community of people who embody and aspire to the authority of love granted in Christ. Jesus is with us. And Jesus is not scared of the unclean spirits or the demonic powers, nor does he avoid our own violent, destructive, or judgemental tendencies. Instead, he comes to us, engages us, heals us, and sets us free from our angry, anxious, intolerant little selves; then he sends us out into the world to do likewise: to go towards all people and invite them to join a welcoming community that knows no boundaries, and shows wholeness, freedom, and integrity through its love for all people.