The Authority of Jesus: March 9, 2025
Let's Talk About Who's Really Running the Show (And Why It Matters!)
Hey everyone! Let’s talk about authority. Now, I know that word can sound a bit stuffy, but trust me, it's something we all deal with every single day.
Think about it: who do you listen to? Who do you look to for guidance? It's not just about bosses and titles, it's way more than that! We talked about all sorts of "authorities" – from the person who fixes your computer (expert authority!) to that friend who always has your back (relational authority!).
It's Not Just About Being the Boss!
We learned that there are tons of different ways people have authority:
The "Official" Boss: You know, the one with the title and the office.
The Wise Elder: Someone older, maybe someone who's been around the block, and you just know they've got good advice.
The Know-It-All (in a good way!): Like your doctor or that tech whiz who saves your day.
The Charmer: That person who just walks in a room and everyone wants to follow them.
The Trusted Friend: Someone who's been there for you, and you'd do anything for them.
Back in Jesus' time, it was all about the "big shots" – the religious leaders. But Jesus turned that upside down! He talked about a different kind of authority, a heavenly authority.
A Story About a Vineyard (And a Big Lesson!)
We looked at a story Jesus told about a vineyard. It was about a guy who owned the land, and some people who were supposed to be taking care of it. But instead, they were mean to his helpers, and even killed his son!
This story was actually about Jesus and the religious leaders. They were supposed to be taking care of God's people, but they were doing the opposite. Jesus was saying, "Hey, I'm the real deal, and you're not listening!"
So, Who Do You Listen To?
This got me thinking, and hopefully you too: who do we listen to in our lives?
Do we listen to Jesus, even when it's hard?
Do we get caught up in what everyone else is doing, instead of what God wants?
Do we let fear or comfort keep us from following what we know is right?
A Good Guy vs. A Bad Guy (It's That Simple!)
We talked about how God is like the really good guy in the vineyard story. He's kind, patient, and wants the best for us. The bad guys? They were greedy and mean.
It's like, do we want to follow someone who loves us and wants to help us, even if it's tough sometimes? Or do we want to follow someone who just wants to use us?
Let's Choose the Good Guy!
The big takeaway was this: Jesus is a really good guy to follow! He's kind, he's loving, and he knows what's best for us.
So, let's try to listen to him more, even when it's not easy. Let's choose to follow the good guy, and let him lead us on an amazing adventure!
