The word authority often brings negative feelings and emotions. Whether it’s our teacher, government official, pastor, mentors, or parent, is it really that important to honor them? Would the answer be different if they did things that were wrong? The same negative feelings and dissatisfaction with authority are not all that different than in Jesus’ time.
In the Gospels, we find the Pharisees approached Jesus in an attempt to get Him to publicly disagree with the Roman government. The Roman government at the time was taxing the Jewish people more than the regular Roman citizens. Jews harbored resentment rather than respect towards the Roman government that ruled over Jerusalem. Knowing this, the Pharisees asked Jesus if they should have to pay the taxes. Jesus responds with “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” (Mark 12:17 NIV)
Even if what is happening is not right, we have a responsibility to honor and respect those in authority. Each person in leadership has been placed there by God, but it doesn’t mean they do everything right. As Christians, we must respect the God-given authority of those people and treat them accordingly, no matter how they choose to act. But honor is not the same thing as agreement. We can disagree with someone and still honor them.
Read:
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the lives of my parents, teachers, pastors, and mentors. Thank you for their passion, love, and time they give to me every day. Teach me, Lord, to respect, love, and honor people you’ve placed in my life. Amen.
Journal Book Questions:
1. What did God say to you?
2. What did you say to God?
3. What ways can you honor your parents, pastors, or mentors more?
