That We Might Live

Acts 5:27-32; John 20:19-31; Revelation 1:4-8, 12-16

Central Baptist Church, Lowesville, VA

15 April 2007

The easiest way to arouse someone’s anger may be to begin ordering them around. When we begin issuing commands, people get on the defensive. They build a wall between us, questioning our authority to give orders and expect them to be carried out. The acceptance of another’s orders depends upon a relationship of trust and respect of the other’s authority. We might obey, but we do so willingly only when we trust the motives of the one issuing commands. Are we prepared to accept the authority of Jesus Christ as leading us into meaningful living?

Peter, along with the rest of the apostles was placed in a difficult situation. They had competing authorities issuing them orders. On one hand, Jesus had commissioned them as witnesses to the gospel of his resurrection. On the other hand, the Sadducees had them arrested and ordered them to keep silent regarding Jesus’ gospel and resurrection. Released from prison during the night by God’s intervention, they returned to the temple square to bear witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This did not sit well with the Sanhedrin.

As the temple guards reported the arrestees were missing, others came to report that they were out teaching the people publicly under Jesus’ authority. Once again, they were arrested. Brought before the Sanhedrin, they were called to account for their refusal to keep silence regarding the name of Jesus. It was no light matter to be brought to trial before the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin had authority to put them to death or punish them by other means. All involved, however, recognized competing authorities. The apostles had accepted the full authority of Jesus, while the Sanhedrin claimed another. In full recognition that his stance denied acceptance of the Sanhedrin’s authority, Peter affirmed that they would refuse the Sanhedrin’s directives in order to be true to Jesus. Do we so accept Jesus’ complete authority?

In Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown this week, we repeatedly heard the stories of colonist insurrection against British authority in the Eighteenth Century. The upstarts were concerned with issues of taxes, rights, and privileges. There were competing voices determined to bow to British authority over the colonies. Neither party was willing to accept the claims of the other. Self-governance was a brand new proposal which some vehemently opposed and others vehemently defended. Others did not know how to choose. They lived in the middle ground of competing claims, desires, ambitions, dreams, and uncertain loyalties. Do we live in a middle ground of an incomplete confidence in Christ Jesus?

When John writes of Jesus in Revelation, his is no uncertain portrait of the authority of Jesus Christ. He portrays Jesus all the all-authoritative Lord, having the first and last word over all creation. As Alpha and Omega, the first and last, he is supreme in his lordship. John paints an impossible portrait of Jesus’ authority over all. His eyes like flames of fire, his tongue as a double-edges sword, his hair white, while his face shines with the full radiance of the noon-day sun. He is thus impossible to look upon, for our eyes would be unable to detect the details of his features.

This is not a literalistic rendering of Jesus’ physical description. Neither is this an imaginative description of Jesus’ physical traits. It is more akin to an artist’s rendering of Jesus’ authoritative power and character. This is John’s portrayal of the one who has freed us from sin, suffering, death, and all other imposters who would claim authority over our lives. The Lord we serve has already conquered Hades and holds under his authority the very stars the nations worshipped.

John so sets the stage for his dramatic presentation of living under the authority of the risen Lamb. There is none to match his authority or power, though some might claim authority that is not theirs. John’s concern, however, is that we understand the fullness of the authority of our risen Lord who had conquered all real opposition and call us to serve in like faithfulness to his own example. Do our lives evidence the full reality and authority of the living Christ?

The revolutionary spirit of Virginias like Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington spurred others to question the authority of a king hundreds of miles away on an island off the European continent. During the same period, it spurred Baptists like John Leland and Isaac Backus to question whether any human authority had the right to intervene between the individual’s conscience and God. It called Baptists to an awakening understanding of their right and responsibility to assume the call of God to become the mouthpieces of Christ Jesus, despite the influence of human authority structures and cries to squelch their witness. Baptists recognized with John the indwelling commission by the only real authority—a commission to bear witness to the risen Lord of all. Do our actions bear witness to the full authority and indwelling of God’s Spirit?

Revelation proclaims the vital and complete authority of the resurrected Lord. As Jesus appeared to the disciples, it was with a word of peace, comfort, and commission. John’s gospel records purpose not only to Jesus’ appearing, but also to the recording of the events in his own words. His written witness was like his spoken witness to Jesus’ actions, message, and ministry. He recorded his experience with Christ in order that we and others might share the gift of true living.

Some responded to the message of resurrection with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. To be sure, most of the disciples responded at first with uncertainty. We cast much insult upon doubting Thomas, yet Peter, John, and the women had all doubted in their own turn. The two on the road to Emmaus had heard news of resurrection, but had not accepted it until the moment of their own experience. John wrote to encourage our acceptance of these accounts.

He did not write just so that we might accept the truth of his reporting. He wrote for a much greater purpose. It was not so important to him that we get all the facts straight, as it was that we turn our living over to the author and giver of life. These things, says John, we recorded in order that we might trust in the full lordship of Jesus Christ, receiving life under the authority of Jesus’ name. Jesus did not so much chastise Thomas for not believing without seeing. His words are for us today. Will we accept as sufficient the testimony of others to his resurrection? This is the beginning of blessed living. It is not so important whether we were privileged with experiencing the risen Christ two thousand years ago. What is important is our accepting the reality of his resurrection and the gospel as true living.

Are we prepared to live in obedience to God above human expectations? As the revolutionaries in the colonies on the Eighteenth Century, we are called to assess the reality of our true allegiances. Will we live under the direction of human authorities, or will we submit our lives only to the supremacy of Christ Jesus as the only legitimate Lord and Savior? Will we live in preparation for life before Christ in eternity? If we fail to live for the lordship of Christ Jesus, we are laying down our lives for the worthless cause of some false authority. Shall we deposit our truest allegiance to Christ Jesus in order that we might live?

—©2007 Christopher B. Harbin