AUTHORIZATION PLEASE

Mark 14:44-45

And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead [him] away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

From a study in Rick Renner's book Sparkling Gems From the Greek (pages 216-218), I will share with you quotes and condensed information of what it means to authorize God in your life.

Rick mentions how the word Master in our main passage of study is the original Greek word didaskalos, meaning teacher. The Hebrew equivalent is Rabbi - "a teacher who is honored and respected because of his understanding of and ability to explain the Scriptures." (Renner, p.217) So, Judas greets Jesus in the Garden, at the head of a small army, with the title/code words "Teacher, teacher" and a kiss.

In light of titles Mr. Renner mentions something incredibly interesting - "...there isn't a single occurrence in the Gospels where they [the Disciples] called Him "Jesus". They were always respectful, honoring, and deferential when they spoke of Him or to Him." (Renner, p.217) However, there is a title you never hear Judas utter and it is the most important one of all - "Lord".

The word "Lord" means a sell-out of trust to another for control in all areas of your life. The idea of submission to someone who knows better and can help you out in all areas is the line of thinking. Judas did not use this word or know Jesus in this manner. Judas seemed to keep Jesus at an arm's length and just know Him as Teacher.

"Jesus knew what was in the heart of Judas, yet continued to work closely with him, extending mind-blowing mercy, amazing grace, and astounding patience toward him! Jesus graciously extended His time and attention to Judas to correct the fatal flaws in the disciple's character and to get things right. But even with all of the Jesus' love and patience, the ball was in Judas' court. He was the one who ultimately determined the  level of relationship that would exist between him and Jesus. Jesus was willing to be his 'Lord' - but Judas was never truly willing to be in submission to Jesus' authority. Instead, Judas only authorized Jesus to be a gifted Teacher in his life." (Renner, p.217-218)

So, many of us - me included - have trusted Christ with our Salvation, but we have failed to authorize Him as our Lord or Master. Jesus was and is the perfect Teacher. However, my favorite quote of anybody and C.S. Lewis emphasizes our decision concerning Jesus should reflect something more than an excellent teacher.

• “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

The ball is in our court, as it was for Judas. Will we keep Him at arms length as just a great moral compass? Or will we grant Him rights to every dimension of our lives? Christ is requesting - Authorization Please.