Cheryl Schatz

NN,
What authority did Jesus take over his disciples? Did he make their decisions for them?

When Jesus went to wash the feet of Peter and Peter refused, did Jesus take His authority over Peter? Did Jesus say “I am going to wash your feet whether you like it or not because it is good for you and I am making the decision”? Or did Jesus allow the disciples to make their own decisions by influencing them with the truth and then letting them freely submit by allowing them to give themselves to him?

Where do we ever see Jesus taking authority over His disciples? Where do we see Him making their decisions for them “for their own good”? No where!

Jesus even shunned taking authority over people when he was asked to do so.

Luke 12:13–14 (NASB)
13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

If Jesus did not take authority over people here on earth, then why would we think that He gave men the responsibility over another adult human being to be their authority?