The whole household is transformed by Mary Poppins’ presence. The cook and the maid sing over their work, sharing kindness to one another instead of squabbling. The children bring their mother flowers instead of being a pain.
The only one unhappy with all this joy is the father, the one who acted for change in the first place. He tries to contain this joy in his house. The children attempt to share their joy with him, even sharing the new word Poppins taught them, but it is just gibberish to him. All this only makes Mr. Banks critical of Mary Poppins.
As the Church brings true change, she exhibits a higher authority. Worldly authorities feel threatened by this and persecute the Church. She does not bring the type of change the world expects or demands, and her Word is confusing to worldly minds.
Mr. Banks decides to have a talk with Poppins about all this nonsense. Again, Poppins is the one in control of the exchange. Mary puts the children back in the hands of Mr. Banks and has him take his children to work with him. In speaking with Jane and Michael later, they beg her not to go. When she explains she is going nowhere, they had assumed she was “sacked (fired)” by their father.
She stronly states: “Sacked! I am never sacked.”
In standing before the Roman authority, Pilate says, “Don’t you know the power I have over you?” Jesus’ response: “You would have no authority unless my father gave it to you.” Christ said elsewhere: “No one takes my life from me. I give it up.”
As Christ’s representative on earth, the Church carries a higher authority. The Church is in control because our Father is in control. We leave of our own accord, not when told to leave. I’m also reminded of when Paul and Silas were still in the jail after the doors were opened. They stayed and blessed the jailor’s whole household, refusing to even leave the jailor’s house until the Roman authority ASKED them.
Man nor his authority controls our destiny; only God can do that.
to be continued …