Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy
v23 7And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21:23
Quo Warranto. Merriam Webster defined it as an English writ formerly requiring a person to show by what authority he exercises a public office, franchise or liberty. These strange words had become familiar in the news on a petition filed by the Solicitor General against then Chief Justice Sereno in 2018. Proceeding in quo warranto against a public officer is for the purpose of determining whether he is entitled to hold office and discharge its function. This legalese could have been applied in our story if such existed during that time. I am not a lawyer but I could see a similar case thrown against Jesus in our story. We could make the connection of this introduction if we make a critical explanation or interpretation of our text in this Sunday’s gospel lesson (Matthew 21:23-32).
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It is very important for us to know the background of this case, the context of which is seen in the earlier verses of the 21st chapter of the gospel according to Matthew. Jesus has just made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, riding in on a donkey and being hailed by the crowds as the Son of David, the fulfilment of their hopes and prophecies and dreams, coming in the name of the Lord to usher in the new world order. Immediately after he went to the temple driving out the traders by overturning the tables and throwing out the sacrificial animals reclaiming the place as house of prayer. He also continues a healing ministry; showing that he has authority not just over the crowds and the religious institutions but authority over nature itself. In the background children were singing ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!” To prove that fact further, he curses a fig tree and causes it to wither.
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This awesome display of power has caused the religious leaders to confront him in the opening words of our gospel lesson today, “When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’” (v.23). Voltaire quipped that we ought to judge a person by his questions rather than his answers. Here in Matthew 21 Jesus responds to the question put to him with a question of his own, and a parable to illustrate it.
The chief priests and elders ask Jesus where his authority comes from. His return-question is about John the Baptizer. He asks them if John’s baptism came from heaven, or from the human mind? His question reverses the trap which the chief priests and elders are trying to set for Jesus. His accusers take the fifth, refusing to answer Jesus lest it incriminate them in the eyes of the crowds. So Jesus, in turn, doesn’t answer their question about his authority either, but he does tell them a parable.
The parable sets up a comparison of two sons. One who says he will do what his father asks, but doesn’t, with one who says he won’t, but does. For every individual who hears this parable the comparison helps them (forces them) to ask the question, Which am I? Am I the son who presents himself as obedient while running around raising havoc, or am I the daughter who to all appearances is the “black sheep” but in the end does what is needed? Which am I? Which are you? There is an accusation in the parable — some who claim to obey the Father and observe the requirements of the Law fail, in actuality, to do so. Is this who we are, as believers — as pastors, teachers, church council members and Sunday school teachers? Which am I?
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There is an accusation in the parable — some who claim to obey the Father and observe the requirements of the Law fail, in actuality, to do so. Is this who we are, as believers — as pastors, teachers, church council members and Sunday school teachers? Which am I? There is also (again) a reversal of expectations in the parable — those who are seen as the antithesis of the “good” believer, some who have failed to live in the right way, will be given entry to the kingdom of heaven first. Which are you?
Jesus returns, after telling this comparative parable, to John. He returns accusation for accusation, “For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.” The one whose voice cried out in the wilderness, who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord, preaching repentance; went un-recognized and un-believed. They did not change their mind, Jesus tells us, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. Which am I? Which will you be?
We may not be the chief priests and elders of Jesus’ day, asking the Messiah accusing questions. Still, the parable may speak volumes to us. When heard by the individual, as one tries to make sense of Jesus’ parable for oneself and apply it to one’s own life, it has the ring of Romans 7:19, ‘I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.’; it may be a question of the good that we would do but don’t (or can’t) and the evil we don’t want to do, but still….
Jesus’ parable is, in the end, a challenge. It asks us how we will respond to the truth of the gospel — will we change our mind and believe, or not? Will we be the daughter who pretends obedience or the son who turns around and changes his mind?
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In whose authority? Digressing, in the context of our present socio-political and economic situation, we must also ask: who benefits primarily from the exercise of the authority given the so-called elected officialsor leaders of our society? We have been treated lately of what I called a ‘comedy of horror and error’ of the government officials uncoordinated and even conflicting statements and actions in dealing with the pandemic. The addresses of leaders including President Duterte’s in recent UN virtual assembly, these and those of our politicians conflicting and confusing in dealing with COVID-19, in my humble observation are generally tainted of egotism disguised in patriotic ardor and care for the whole humanity. In whose authority are their authority emanating? From where authority comes from should it be duly served… the people, and above all God.
In the encounter of Jesus and the religious leaders of his time with regards to authority, we have a lesson for all politicians and religious leaders and all those who hold positions of authority in society today. The claims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are intense. And all of us in political and spiritual leadership are called to moments of decision that will have profound impact for our future. Are we prepared to stand up for what is true and right in the eyes of God and to live out our ministries by the standards of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Or will we seek to deny the truth in order to protect our power and position and status in the eyes of society, or our electorate, or our congregation?
Spiritual and political leadership demands courage to do what is right – often at the expense of personal gain and popularity.
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But the leaders that Jesus was addressing were unable to recognise the authority of Jesus to challenge them in this way for the simple reason that he was acting out of a form of authority that they had never witnessed before. For them, authority came with a title, with respect in society, with wealth and prestige, with the ability to make decisions that the people would unquestioningly obey and with the weight of history on their side. But that was not the type of authority that Jesus was modelling to them as the authority of the Kingdom of God…
The authority of Jesus was of a completely different order altogether. The authority of Jesus was worked out in his welcoming of sinners and prostitutes. The authority of Jesus was worked out in his welcoming of little children. The authority of Jesus was worked out in his welcoming of the outcasts and those on the margins. Ultimately, the authority of Jesus was worked out in a life of service, not ruling; a life hallmarked by betrayal and personal sacrifice, rejection, torture and a criminal’s death on the cross. That is where the authority of Jesus lay: not in some sort of power game that brought with it prestige and wealth and the respect of the people. And the religious leaders had never seen anything like that before and had no idea how to respond to it…
The challenge to us in this passage is the extent to which we are prepared to develop our gifts and position in our respective communities to love and to serve those in need rather than to seek prestige and honour and respect from others. That is the ultimate value that underpins the work of God’s vineyard, as Jesus goes on to outline with the parable in our passage (vv.28-32).
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Let me end this reflection with the lyrics of a song entitled “Change Your Mind” by Sister Hazel Band. It speaks in a real way to the challenge of Jesus’ parable.
Did you ever think
There might be another way
To just feel better,
Just feel better about today
If you never want to have
To turn and go away
You might feel better,
Might feel better if you stay
I bet you haven’t heard
A word I’ve said
If you’ve had enough
Of all your tryin’
Just give up
The state of mind you’re in:
If you want to be somebody else,
If you’re tired of fighting battles with yourself
If you want to be somebody else
Change your mind…
Jesus’ question, and the answer he points us to in the parable of the two sons, pushes us to the point of reflection and decision. Which will we be? Which can we be? Will we change our mind, and believe? (References/Sources: www.standrewsenfield.com; www.workingpreacher.org)
Let us pray.
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, the we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (ECP-BCP Proper 21 Collect)
