Daily Bread 2011 - Luke 20
Daily Bread 2011 – Thursday, March 31th, 2011 Luke 20
Luke 20
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
1 One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” 3 He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 5 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” 8 Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
What Does This Mean?
The chief priests and teachers of the law became more and more threatened, so they tried to question Jesus’ authority. Authority is the right to exercise power. Jesus’ authority had come from God, and the chief priests and teachers of the law where questioning his right to use it. Jesus exercised his power in everything he said The Lamb of God and did. And it began with John the Baptist’s recognition of him as, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
John recognized Jesus’ authority, and that is why when Jesus asked him to baptize him he said, “I am not worthy to untie the thongs of your sandals.” But Jesus gave John permission to baptize him in obedience to His Father, the ultimate authority. Jesus’ recognized John’s power as a prophet and submitted to His baptism out of obedience to a higher power. The chief priests and teachers of the law had authority and power which had been given to them by God, but instead of recognizing the True Authority from heaven in Jesus, they rejected him thereby surrendering their power and authority.
What Does This Mean For Us?
God has given power both to spiritual and earthly leaders, but ultimately that power comes from God and must be exercised in manner keeping with its author. Jesus acted in His power and in line with the Father’s will. He never used his power or authority to yield it over others in an abusive or manipulative way, but always to serve others and bring about His Father’s purposes.
If we have been given power, we must using knowing where it comes from and that we will be accountable for how we use it. Ultimately Jesus used his power and authority to lay down his life for the sins of the world. He used His power to submit to the ruling authorities and in keeping with the Father’s will. In doing this as He was raised from the dead it says, “One day every knee will bow and tongue will confess that He is Lord.” Jesus, the suffering servant, had His power restored when He was raised from the dead, and one day when He returns every and all power and authority will submit to His Lordship.
Jesus, you emptied yourself becoming a servant even to death on a cross. And your Father raised you from the dead and gave you the name above all names that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord to the glory of God. Help us to understand that all power and authority come from you and if we are given authority through our station in life help us to use it wisely. Amen.
Luke 20
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
1 One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” 3 He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 5 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” 8 Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
What Does This Mean?
The chief priests and teachers of the law became more and more threatened, so they tried to question Jesus’ authority. Authority is the right to exercise power. Jesus’ authority had come from God, and the chief priests and teachers of the law where questioning his right to use it. Jesus exercised his power in everything he said The Lamb of God and did. And it began with John the Baptist’s recognition of him as, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
John recognized Jesus’ authority, and that is why when Jesus asked him to baptize him he said, “I am not worthy to untie the thongs of your sandals.” But Jesus gave John permission to baptize him in obedience to His Father, the ultimate authority. Jesus’ recognized John’s power as a prophet and submitted to His baptism out of obedience to a higher power. The chief priests and teachers of the law had authority and power which had been given to them by God, but instead of recognizing the True Authority from heaven in Jesus, they rejected him thereby surrendering their power and authority.
What Does This Mean For Us?
God has given power both to spiritual and earthly leaders, but ultimately that power comes from God and must be exercised in manner keeping with its author. Jesus acted in His power and in line with the Father’s will. He never used his power or authority to yield it over others in an abusive or manipulative way, but always to serve others and bring about His Father’s purposes.
If we have been given power, we must using knowing where it comes from and that we will be accountable for how we use it. Ultimately Jesus used his power and authority to lay down his life for the sins of the world. He used His power to submit to the ruling authorities and in keeping with the Father’s will. In doing this as He was raised from the dead it says, “One day every knee will bow and tongue will confess that He is Lord.” Jesus, the suffering servant, had His power restored when He was raised from the dead, and one day when He returns every and all power and authority will submit to His Lordship.
Jesus, you emptied yourself becoming a servant even to death on a cross. And your Father raised you from the dead and gave you the name above all names that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord to the glory of God. Help us to understand that all power and authority come from you and if we are given authority through our station in life help us to use it wisely. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment