Authority is all around us. Some of it is good and beneficial. Some of it is corrupt and harmful. During the week following Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, various leaders and officials challenged His authority.
“They 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. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’….” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (Mark 11:27–33, NIV84)
Those reading Mark’s Gospel know where Jesus’ authority comes from. It has been Mark’s primary message that Jesus is the Son of God. The chief priest, scribes, and elders didn’t understand that. All they knew was that Jesus was threatening the status quo of the Temple system.
Jesus’ question in return about John’s baptism revealed that the religious leaders were political animals protecting their own kingdoms instead of truth seekers for God’s kingdom. They had it all figured out, or so they thought. How dare Jesus upset their world.
This is where things get real. We have our own little kingdoms, too. Jesus comes in and upsets our worldview, our self-view, and our self-worth. We can challenge His authority like those chief priests or embrace it. Jesus upsets our sense of fun and leads to something immeasurably joyful. Jesus throws over our sense of purpose and identity and asks us to share in His eternal purpose and name. And, just like the chief priests, the choice is ours to make.
I can tell you that accepting Christ’s authority is the best thing you can do. It opens heaven’s gates, which increasingly flood our life with grace, mercy, and unfailing love. I may not always understand the whys of my life, but I know the who – and that is all that matters. Jesus is my one and only Lord. He is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. How about you?
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