Matthew 21:15 - When the chief priests and scribes saw the wondrous things he did and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna, Son of David," they became indignant.
The chief priests and scribes - the temple authorities - are angry that Jesus is healing in the temple and that people are calling Jesus "Son of David" because he's horning in on their "territory." At least that's how they see things. Jesus is just another pilgrim with no right or authority to do these things in the temple. It would be like someone coming into your church and in the middle of the service began healing the congregants, who then loudly praised that person. On the one hand, people are being healed; on the other, decently and in order.
Keep in mind Jesus has been healing people who could not see and/or walk. These same people are now singing his praises and crying out for deliverance. Deliverance from the Roman occupation with whom the temple authorities are collaborating. Not only is Jesus horning in on their territory, but he's also making them look bad to their bosses. The chief priests and scribes have authority in the temple, but the ultimate authority in this situation is the Roman Empire. If they cannot control this fervor in the temple, the Romans will remove them from office (and power) and possibly crucify them.
The chief priests and scribes serve at the pleasure of Pilate. Therefore, in the face of Jesus's miraculous healings of people with disabilities, they can only think of themselves. There is no compassion or mercy or rejoicing in their hearts. They cling to their Roman-sanctioned authority by questioning Jesus's own, which comes from God. When God calls people, God simultaneously ordains them for their work. The moment we begin to follow God's call for justice, mercy and the flourishing of all life, the Greek zoe, we have been authorized and ordained by God. A beautiful description of this is in the beginning of Isaiah 6.
When I was doing Clinical Pastoral Education at The Night Ministry in Chicago, we wore clerical collars. People often asked whether I was a minister. I always answered, "Not ordained, yet." One day my supervisor asked, "Why haven't you ordained yourself?" In other words, God has ordained you, why haven't you accepted her ordination?" (Yes, I used her on purpose) I hadn't accepted it because I feared the "authorities." Ordination is in some ways like a wedding; both are a celebration of what is already reality. Tomorrow I will wear my clerical collar to the Women's March protesting the corruption of the current administration and congress while representing the God of mercy, justice, and the flourishing of all of his children.
What has the God of life called you to do? Have you accepted your ordination? Why or why not?
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