Authority

For People with Bishop Rob Wright

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Authority comes in many forms, but as Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, he modeled an understanding that may transform how we view our empowerment. While crowds waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!" one day and "Crucify him!" shortly after, Jesus remained steadfast. Neither public praise nor rejection sways him from his purpose. This spiritual maturity stands as both a challenge and an invitation to us – can we remain faithful to our calling regardless of external forces?

In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Jesus' authority using his return to Jerusalem as the backdrop. Bishop Wright distinguishes holding positions of leadership and living into God-given authority. "Jesus never said 'come and sit in a building and hear words wash over you,'" he reminds us. Rather, being authorized by Jesus means joining him in active ministry – what Bishop Wright calls Jesus' "never-ending, ever-unfolding neighborly campaign." This reframing challenges each baptized Christian to recognize they've already been empowered to serve, rather than waiting for ordained leadership to act. Listen in for the full conversation.

Read For Faith, the companion devotional.

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Chapters

1. Authority (00:00:00)

2. Jesus's Differentiation Amid Praise and Condemnation (00:00:04)

3. Authority vs. Leadership: Understanding the Difference (00:03:00)

4. Jesus Authorizes His Disciples: The Donkey Story (00:08:15)

5. The Fickle Crowd: Mob Mentality and Morality (00:11:38)

6. Youth and Differentiation in Today's Distracted World (00:17:26)

7. Everyone Has Authority: Sharing Our Gifts (00:21:35)