Daily Bread 2010 - Mark 11
Daily Bread 2010 – Mark 11
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
27They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28"By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"
29Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30John's baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!"
31They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32But if we say, 'From men'...." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
You have heard it said, “So and so has an authority complex!” Usually those who have an authority complex, have a hard time submitting to authority, or if they get it usually use in inappropriate ways. The Pharisees used their authority to lord it over those under them. In particular, they used the Law (the first five books of the Old Testament) not to empower others but lord it over them.
But instead of recognizing Jesus’ authority and ultimately the role he would play as the Messiah, which was prophesied in the Old Testament, they miss it completely. Unknowingly they try a power play and ask Jesus by what authority did he did the things he was doing. Ie. Healing the sick and casting out demons and proclaiming forgiveness.
But instead of reacting to their challenge, he challenges them back by asking by what authority John the Baptist did baptize? Since John announced Jesus’ coming and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”, they could either discount or honor his authority. But if they didn’t acknowledge John, they knew they would have a riot on their hands, for the people had followed John the Baptist’s true authority which came from God, not position.
Authority is needed in the church, but ultimately it all submits to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we understand the proper use and administration of God’s authority given to us as sons and daughters of God, we can live and act in His power! As leaders in the Church exercise their authority properly it will unleash God’s power to work among all people. In this way their authority won’t be used to lord it over others but to serve them!
Prayer: God we acknowledge you are our ultimate authority, and the authority you have given Your Son, Jesus, as Lord of all. As your sons and daughter help us to realize the authority we have been given as we live, act and pray in Your name, the name that is above all names. Amen.
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
27They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28"By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"
29Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30John's baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!"
31They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32But if we say, 'From men'...." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
You have heard it said, “So and so has an authority complex!” Usually those who have an authority complex, have a hard time submitting to authority, or if they get it usually use in inappropriate ways. The Pharisees used their authority to lord it over those under them. In particular, they used the Law (the first five books of the Old Testament) not to empower others but lord it over them.
But instead of recognizing Jesus’ authority and ultimately the role he would play as the Messiah, which was prophesied in the Old Testament, they miss it completely. Unknowingly they try a power play and ask Jesus by what authority did he did the things he was doing. Ie. Healing the sick and casting out demons and proclaiming forgiveness.
But instead of reacting to their challenge, he challenges them back by asking by what authority John the Baptist did baptize? Since John announced Jesus’ coming and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”, they could either discount or honor his authority. But if they didn’t acknowledge John, they knew they would have a riot on their hands, for the people had followed John the Baptist’s true authority which came from God, not position.
Authority is needed in the church, but ultimately it all submits to the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we understand the proper use and administration of God’s authority given to us as sons and daughters of God, we can live and act in His power! As leaders in the Church exercise their authority properly it will unleash God’s power to work among all people. In this way their authority won’t be used to lord it over others but to serve them!
Prayer: God we acknowledge you are our ultimate authority, and the authority you have given Your Son, Jesus, as Lord of all. As your sons and daughter help us to realize the authority we have been given as we live, act and pray in Your name, the name that is above all names. Amen.
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