May 20, 2012

Hinge Point Mark 11:29-30 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John's baptism — was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!” WHAT’S your response when some person or persons consistently doubts you? Are you frustrated and hurt from their persistent challenges to who you are? Of course you are, and so is Jesus. He has cleansed the temple of ungodly activity. He has repeatedly shown the miracles of Heaven come to earth. He has preached forgiveness and love. Again and again and again he steps into the public forum to debate the legalists and bring hope to those without hope. All he wants is to love on his people. And all the educated teachers do is say to him in effect, “Who do you think you are? Who gave you the right to cleanse the temple, to judge us and to remove our source of profit?” Jesus’ response is designed to get them to remember their response to John the Baptist. The people of Jerusalem went out into the Jordan to be baptized. John was a popular prophet. People believed him to be the Messiah and that his works were the works of God on earth. Jesus has drawn a line. If the teachers won’t admit John’s baptism came from heaven, then what is the point of him telling them, “My authority is from heaven.” It’s useless to keep preaching to the “deaf”. You probably know that. Some people will never listen to you because they don’t want to hear your truth. Question is, are you willing to hear Jesus’ truth? Pause and consider Jesus’ has come in the authority of God to speak his truth.