Jesus in Charge
Matthew 21:23-27 Jesus
entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and
the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these
things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus replied, “I
will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what
authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism — where did it come from?
Was it from heaven, or from men?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If
we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But
if we say, ‘From men’-we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John
was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither
will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
IF someone walked into your house and began to do your work
and direct the affairs of the household, you’d surely ask, “What qualifies you
to run my household?” The person would need to answer you well to satisfy you.
In a sense, that
is why the chief priests questioned Jesus’ ministry of teaching and healing in
the temple. Anyone who ministered in the temple – God’s House – needed proper
authority.
Jesus knew he wasn’t
qualified in the priests' eyes, to teach and minister healings in the temple.
Yet, he certainly was authorized under the Father’s authority. That’s why he
pointed to John’s baptisms. He knew many saw John as God’s true prophet. If the
priests answered, “From God.” they would be opening the door to consider Jesus
as the Messiah. They wouldn’t go there.
As a result, Jesus
refused to answer them. He didn’t need their permission. He is Lord of the
Temple.
LIFE Link: Jesus’ authority over sin
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