A couple of times lately there have been police officers on our road checking drivers’ licenses. The license is our permit, our authority to drive a motor vehicle. In a sense they are questioning our authority to drive and if we can’t produce our licence there are consequences. How do you respond when your authority to drive, to work or to be in certain places is challenged? Are you likely to be defensive, deflect the question, go on the offensive or plead ignorance?
In our bible passage Jesus’ authority is being questioned by the chief priests of the temple. All through his ministry Jesus was tested and challenged but this intensifies during the last days of his life. Here we see Jesus’ courage and spiritual strength revealed, not letting the religious authorities take advantage, but rather turning the tables and questioning their authority. This was a dangerous game, and Jesus understood what the final outcome would be, but he is brave and unflinching. By entering Jerusalem on a donkey, turning over the tables of the moneychangers at the temple and accepting extravagant praise of children, Jesus was exercising his authority as God’s Son and anointed Messiah. By questioning his authority the chief priests are essentially asking Jesus, Who made you the Boss?
Jesus courageously stood his ground, refusing to answer their question until they answered his – Was John’s baptism from heaven or was it of human origin? This put the temple authorities on the spot. Clearly, John the Baptist was sent by God, they knew this but couldn’t admit it. Logically, since John was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus who he pointed out was the Lamb of God, to admit John was sent by God was to admit Jesus was sent by God. But they couldn’t deny the fact that John was sent with God’s authority because everyone knew he was. To state that John wasn’t sent by God would be to admit they were spiritually clueless and had no idea of what God had been doing. To do with was to risk the crowd turning against them, and they feared the crowd! The chief priests and elders could not affirm John’s authority and they could not deny it, so they opted for a weak and dithering – we don’t know.
Jesus then replied, neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. In essence Jesus is claiming an authority he knows the chief priests won’t recognise. Jesus is not evading their question about his authority, but taking authority to answer as he sees fit and to expose their lack of authority. Jesus’ authority had been clearly revealed to all with eyes to see it and is recorded for us in the gospels. Jesus had authority: over nature even the wind/waves obey him (Matt 8.26-27); over sin – saying to the paralysed man your sin is forgiven; take up your mat and walk (Mark 2.9); over disease – healing many (Matt 4.23); over demons, - a new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him (Mark 1:27); to do miracles (Luke 7.21-22); and over death – his resurrection (Matt 28.7).
Jesus, the most authoritative person to have ever walked the earth, said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18–20) Jesus is the ultimate authority and he could not be trumped by these wayward religious leaders who called his authority into question.
Jesus’ authority is an affront to our consumer culture in which we say it is all about me! I am worth it! My rights! My independent authority to chose my way for my life! Part of our human problem is the illusion we have of personal freedom, when in fact we are captive to sin and only Jesus has authority to set us free … “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Jesus’ authority is comforting to us, because he is able, he has the power, he will keep his promises. He who had authority to calm the sea of Galilee can calm the storm in me. He who has authority to call Lazarus from the tomb, can bring life to me. He has authority to forgive you and adopt you into God’s family. Authority to give you eternal life.
For reflection:
How do you respond to the authority Jesus claims to have?
In what ways is his authority challenging or comforting for you?
Rev John Malcolm
Jesus courageously stood his ground, refusing to answer their question until they answered his – Was John’s baptism from heaven or was it of human origin? This put the temple authorities on the spot. Clearly, John the Baptist was sent by God, they knew this but couldn’t admit it. Logically, since John was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus who he pointed out was the Lamb of God, to admit John was sent by God was to admit Jesus was sent by God. But they couldn’t deny the fact that John was sent with God’s authority because everyone knew he was. To state that John wasn’t sent by God would be to admit they were spiritually clueless and had no idea of what God had been doing. To do with was to risk the crowd turning against them, and they feared the crowd! The chief priests and elders could not affirm John’s authority and they could not deny it, so they opted for a weak and dithering – we don’t know.
Jesus then replied, neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. In essence Jesus is claiming an authority he knows the chief priests won’t recognise. Jesus is not evading their question about his authority, but taking authority to answer as he sees fit and to expose their lack of authority. Jesus’ authority had been clearly revealed to all with eyes to see it and is recorded for us in the gospels. Jesus had authority: over nature even the wind/waves obey him (Matt 8.26-27); over sin – saying to the paralysed man your sin is forgiven; take up your mat and walk (Mark 2.9); over disease – healing many (Matt 4.23); over demons, - a new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him (Mark 1:27); to do miracles (Luke 7.21-22); and over death – his resurrection (Matt 28.7).
Jesus, the most authoritative person to have ever walked the earth, said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18–20) Jesus is the ultimate authority and he could not be trumped by these wayward religious leaders who called his authority into question.
Jesus’ authority is an affront to our consumer culture in which we say it is all about me! I am worth it! My rights! My independent authority to chose my way for my life! Part of our human problem is the illusion we have of personal freedom, when in fact we are captive to sin and only Jesus has authority to set us free … “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Jesus’ authority is comforting to us, because he is able, he has the power, he will keep his promises. He who had authority to calm the sea of Galilee can calm the storm in me. He who has authority to call Lazarus from the tomb, can bring life to me. He has authority to forgive you and adopt you into God’s family. Authority to give you eternal life.
For reflection:
How do you respond to the authority Jesus claims to have?
In what ways is his authority challenging or comforting for you?
Rev John Malcolm