A citizen’s arrest is an arrest made by a person not acting as a sworn law-enforcement official. The practice dates back to medieval times, when sheriffs encouraged ordinary citizens to help apprehend law breakers. Despite the name, the arresting person is usually designated as any person that already has arrest powers. A person making a citizen’s arrest risks exposing themselves to possible lawsuits or criminal charges such as impersonating an officer or wrongful arrest, because the average citizen doesn’t have the vested authority to file charges. In fact, North Carolina is the only state in the U.S. that disallows Citizen Arrests. A perpetrator’s legitimate question could be: “By what authority do you make this arrest?”

Today’s text begins with religious leaders questioning Jesus’ authority & continues with a series of parables illustrating the ultimate & absolute authority of God the Father. Being one with the Father, Christ’s authority was (and is) absolutely pure & originated with the original source: God. As God’s only son, Jesus was perfect in every way. His message to the Chief Priests then is the same message today:

He has been given authority over everything by the creator of the Universe. May we recognize and honor the absolute Authority of Christ.