Peter, Paul, and Mary

Peter, Paul, and Mary. Their rise to prominence came at a time of great tumult in the nation. It was a time of oppression and persecution. Corruption, immorality, injustice and inequality began to increase through the culture and morality of the people. Even the ruling authorities were beginning to be pulled away from Truth, honor, and integrity. This only eroded law and order and increased the upheaval that was present in their time.

If you have read things written about them, maybe they didn’t say or do everything right. Their beginnings may not have been the best, but they finished well. There is much wisdom as well, in the words of Peter, Paul, and Mary. The inspired words they put forth during their lifetimes can serve as illumination to us today. I got a revelation one day. It came by way of a song on the radio. No, not the one about a “Dragon by the Sea.” I am not talking about the folk singers Peter, Paul, and Mary, but the Apostle Paul, the Apostle Peter, and Mary the mother of Jesus.

“To be a good follower one must have a heart properly submitted to authority.”

I can guess that a few, after that statement, may not be reading this sentence. Then you may not like this one either.

“To be a good leader, you have to have been a good follower.”

These statements prove us. Like a flurry of punches from a heavyweight prize fighter in the early rounds, tests his opponent’s heart and will to continue, so these statements prove the hearts and will of all of us. Authority tests those who are endowed with it, and those who are subordinate to it.

I am a child of the seventies. I saw firsthand the beginning fruit from the “Rebellion of the Sixties.” Thankfully, I had parents that were strict and never let me stray too far. One rule I remember from my early adolescence was, “Don’t play in the streets!” How many young lives could be saved if parents would enforce that on their kids today?

I entered the military straight out of high school and served eight years. This gave me a foundation for submission and honor for authority. I learned that authority is the basis of a healthy society. It is essential for protection, orderly conduct, and continuation of a nation, business, and even families.

Being a Christian, I became interested in a greater understanding of authority. Beyond what I thought I knew. Beyond what it was, and how it worked. I had seen it being resisted, I experienced it being abused, but I also had received help from it. One night I was reading in Matthew and came to the 17th verse of the 4 th chapter, and the Holy Spirit stopped me with a question. “What did He preach?” I read it again and this time the words “Repent” and “Kingdom” fell into my spirit. Both those words are steeped with authority. After leading me through John, Romans, 1 Peter, he left to meditate in the Psalms.

Peter, Paul and Mary understood honor, and authority. They learned submission to authority from their own firsthand experiences. Revelations that came from God Himself. For Mary it came from the words “Woman what does that have to do with us?” Paul received his on the road to Damascus. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard to kick against the goads.” and Peter’s came in the form of a question, “Whom do men say that I am?”

Peter might be the last one you would think would be suggesting that we submit to authority. After all he had gotten in hot water with the Master, by questioning whether He and the Father knew what they were doing, when it came to restoring the Kingdom (Mark 8). And among civil authorities his reputation was less than stellar as well. Obstruction of justice and assault with a deadly weapon (John 18:10). He ran into hiding with an APB out for him after not one, but two prison breaks (Acts 5:19, 12:6-10). Had Peter grown soft in his old age?

1 Peter 2:13,14 NKJV
Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

And Paul, well he had his share of altercations. First with the Lord, then with both religious and civil authorities. Paul was so notorious that he was tried before Magistrates, 2 Governors, a King, and a Caesar. He spent many nights in the crossbar motel. Many of his epistles were written from prison. As much time as Paul spent in prison, one might think that his later missionary trips were done as part of a work release program. And yet in his letter to the Romans, he echoes Peter.

Romans 13:1,2 NKJV
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Submission to authority is Life lessons 101, and for a Christian, a commandment of our Lord. The Truth speaks of Christians as in this world, but not of it (John 17:16) and that we have been translated into His Kingdom. (Col.1:13) This does not grant us immunity to human authority.

Because all authority is from God, and as believers we are brought under a higher standard than those of this world. Jesus Himself demonstrated this principle in His earthly ministry by paying taxes (Matt. 17:24-27), in submitting to the will of the Father in the garden (Luke 22:42), and the illegal trials of the Pharisees.

Many have come to a situation, where they had to answer in themselves the question, “Do I obey authority or not?” In every case but one, the answer is YES! The exception is when human authority requires you to disobey God. We have an example of this with Peter and John before the religious council. (Acts 5:29) Peter threw it back on the High Priest’s responsibility, as to whether they were to obey them, or God.

While there is so much more to write about this subject, before closing I do not want to forget Mary. Her five words have been a principle I remind myself of continually.

“Whatever He says, do it.”