Word@Work 133 - Mark 11:27-30
Published: Thu, 05/29/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 11:27-30 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!" (NIV)
Power may be grasped, authority has to be given. Ultimately all authority derives from God: whether it is the right to rule a nation, to lead a family, parent a child, or serve the Lord - accountability goes directly back to God. The dilemma for the religious leaders, was not so much the miracles that brought Jesus popular acclaim, as the right that He assumed in doing them. Miracles could hardly warrant a death sentence, but claiming a demonic or divine authority could (the demonic was clearly evil and dangerous; the divine could only be blasphemous in their eyes).
The legal eagles were gathering round their prey. Their question was not about good deeds or miracles; but about the authority to do them. They thought they had the perfect question to trap Jesus, as we shall see tomorrow. But all their legal expertise was no match for God in a human body; of course. Jesus promised to answer their question if they would answer one of His. But He set them a question that they dare not answer, "Was John's baptism from heaven or men?" Jesus was not just clever in deflecting their enquiry: He wanted to bring home to them the fact that it was they who were trapped - not Him!
Whenever people try to get God in a corner, they find that He has already won the argument. At the end of every day, it is Jesus who is right. Whatever power we might have, think about the right to exercise it ... who gave you the right to spend money, to teach, to lead? All rightful authority comes from God, and all wrongful authority will be demolished by God: so we will all have to give our account to Him (cf Rom 14:12). Food for thought?
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You that the world will not be in moral chaos for ever, because You will exert Your full authority one day. Help me to hold my responsibilities carefully, looking forward to the return of Jesus as the Lord and judge of all. For His Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Power may be grasped, authority has to be given. Ultimately all authority derives from God: whether it is the right to rule a nation, to lead a family, parent a child, or serve the Lord - accountability goes directly back to God. The dilemma for the religious leaders, was not so much the miracles that brought Jesus popular acclaim, as the right that He assumed in doing them. Miracles could hardly warrant a death sentence, but claiming a demonic or divine authority could (the demonic was clearly evil and dangerous; the divine could only be blasphemous in their eyes).
The legal eagles were gathering round their prey. Their question was not about good deeds or miracles; but about the authority to do them. They thought they had the perfect question to trap Jesus, as we shall see tomorrow. But all their legal expertise was no match for God in a human body; of course. Jesus promised to answer their question if they would answer one of His. But He set them a question that they dare not answer, "Was John's baptism from heaven or men?" Jesus was not just clever in deflecting their enquiry: He wanted to bring home to them the fact that it was they who were trapped - not Him!
Whenever people try to get God in a corner, they find that He has already won the argument. At the end of every day, it is Jesus who is right. Whatever power we might have, think about the right to exercise it ... who gave you the right to spend money, to teach, to lead? All rightful authority comes from God, and all wrongful authority will be demolished by God: so we will all have to give our account to Him (cf Rom 14:12). Food for thought?
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You that the world will not be in moral chaos for ever, because You will exert Your full authority one day. Help me to hold my responsibilities carefully, looking forward to the return of Jesus as the Lord and judge of all. For His Name's sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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