Self-made. That’s one of the phrases that fills people with pride, especially in this country, where for years “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” was the primary goal to attain.

A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the idea of working hard and feeling we deserve our own brand of “fairness” based on our measurement and success paradigms. Last week, we talked about the politics of authority and winning through rhetoric rather than personal identity, faithfulness, and authenticity. Today, Jesus’ disputes with the Chief Priests and Pharisees continue as he addresses their “right to rule the roost,” even if it’s not their roost to rule.

But this too is not unfamiliar to us today. Our “right” to do what we please, when we please, and how we please governs much of American life. In fact…