Authority

Authority (by guest writer David Peterson)

While Jesus walked in the temple in Jerusalem the chief priests, scribes, and elders approached Him and questioned His authority to do the things He does. Mark, Matthew and Luke record this interaction: But Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.” And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But should we say, ‘From men’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all considered John to have been a real prophet. Answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”

The leaders essentially challenged Jesus and His credentials for why He cleansed the temple along with His many other actions. Jesus turned the table on them asking them a question, and demanded their answer. They could not answer - an admission that they could not critique His works and deity. By refusing to answer them Jesus revealed their ignorance.

The erstwhile English theologian John Owen wrote; “There are two things that are suited to humble the soul of men, a due consideration of God, and then ourselves. Of God, in His greatness, glory, holiness, power, majesty and authority; ourselves, in our mean, abject and sinful condition.” In Mark’s gospel, Jesus humbled these leaders because they did not know His authority.

In addressing Jesus’ authority, Christopher Martin Idle wrote “All Authority and Power” and the first verse is;

All authority and power,

ev'ry status and domain,

now belongs to Him who suffered

our redemption to obtain;

angels, demons, kings and rulers,

over all shall Jesus reign!

Martin writes about the “Jesus enlightenment” those early Jerusalemites desperately needed.

Let us pray: Jesus, Lord and Savior, we humbly embrace your divine power in our lives. May your holy authority guide and strengthen us as we further grow your kingdom. Amen.