Devotion: Obey the Authority Matthew 28:20

I have about ten working days before I am discharged from the US Army. This night the room supervisor tells me to work a position that I am not familiar with. I notice that a fellow soldier that is one of the best operators for the position that I am being told to operate is in the room. I am thinking that the supervisor is unaware that one of the usual operators is available. I tell him that the usual operator is available. His response is surprising, and I do not handle the situation as I should have.

The supervisor replies, “I told you to go over there.” I respond that I am unable to do the work adequately. Then, He tells me that I can and to go over there. Now, I am getting angry. I ask him if he can do the work. He cannot. I ask him if he cannot do the work how does he know that I can do the work. I refuse to go because I know how important it is that the work is done adequately.

The next day I am called to the officer’s office. I am being charged with disobeying an order. I am to come to the work place on Saturday to do two hours of extra duty. Later, I am told that the supervisor is wrong in giving me the assignment; an assignment that He should know that I am not experienced to do. However, this does not negate the fact that I refused to obey the person with authority. What should I have done?

I should have obeyed the order from the authority since the authority since He is not breaking any rules. Now, let’s be clear here. I do not like the man. I do not believe that he knows what he is doing. Regardless, he is the authority and regardless of what I think I am supposed to obey the authority.

In Matthew 28:16 the eleven disciples meet Him in Galilee on a mountain that Jesus designates. The disciples worship Him, but some doubted. Their doubts do not stop Jesus from giving them their assignment. Although they doubt that this is Jesus they are expected to obey His command. They are not responsible for the outcome of their work. Their responsibility is to obey Jesus’ commands and do the best that they can. Jesus assures them that if they carry out the assignment He will be with them. They will have success.

There is so much written in the scriptures that we do not understand. Because of our limited abilities we often have questions about what we read. We may not understand why a thing said is said. Our discipleship is developed when we obey the authority of Jesus. As one song writer has written; “we will understand it better, by and by.

Prayer: Lord Jesus thank You for Your authority and Your teachings. We strive to do our best to obey all that You command us to do. Amen.