Word@Work Luke293 - Luke 20:1-8
Published: Tue, 02/15/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY
Luke 20:1-8 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. "Tell us by what authority you are doing these things," they said. "Who gave you this authority?" He replied, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven', he will ask, 'Why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men', all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet." So they answered, "We don't know where it was from." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (NIV)
There is a big difference between power and authority. Power underlies the ability to do something but authority determines the right to do it. Jesus had demonstrated many 'works of power', and even the religious leaders, who wanted to get rid of Jesus, could not deny the powerful miracles. So they asked what was the basis of His authority to do them. If He claimed it came from Father God, they would accuse Him of blasphemy; and if He should say it came from demons, they would accuse Him of sorcery (John 8:48-51): both would have been sufficient grounds to put Him to death ... which was their aim.
But Jesus responded by asking them the same question about John the Baptist's authority. The religious authorities had been glad when he was beheaded, because his preaching humiliated them: but he was the popular martyred hero and the chief priests did not dare to precipitate the anger of the crowds by denigrating him. So they said that they did not know the source of his authority; to which Jesus responded that He would not answer their question either.
Nobody ever caught Jesus out. He always had the right answer and would never be trapped by those who refused to submit to Him. The reason is that His authority was the same as Father God (John 8:28). Colossians 2:9 puts it like this, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form ..." That is the reason why billions of people around the world trust Jesus today; because it is clear that His authority is higher than any on earth and equal to that of Father God. All His words and works prove that to be true. Of course, many who have no desire to call Him Lord will try to ridicule His authority (1 John 4:1-3); but the proof of His Divine authority will come when He returns in power to judge the world (Acts 17:31). However, wise people will not wait until that day to submit to His Lordship!
Prayer: Great God of all authority and power. Thank You that Jesus was fully divine as well as fully human, but without any sinfulness. His words and works are full of Your authority and therefore I am in awe of Him as my Saviour and my Judge. Please help me to honour Him fully in my life, by obeying His words and trusting in His powerful blood as the sacrifice for my sins. I accept that He has full authority over me as my Lord and so I am willing to do whatever He commands me. Forgive me when I have made up my own authority in rebellion to His, and help me to show that I love Your Word by doing what You say. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
There is a big difference between power and authority. Power underlies the ability to do something but authority determines the right to do it. Jesus had demonstrated many 'works of power', and even the religious leaders, who wanted to get rid of Jesus, could not deny the powerful miracles. So they asked what was the basis of His authority to do them. If He claimed it came from Father God, they would accuse Him of blasphemy; and if He should say it came from demons, they would accuse Him of sorcery (John 8:48-51): both would have been sufficient grounds to put Him to death ... which was their aim.
But Jesus responded by asking them the same question about John the Baptist's authority. The religious authorities had been glad when he was beheaded, because his preaching humiliated them: but he was the popular martyred hero and the chief priests did not dare to precipitate the anger of the crowds by denigrating him. So they said that they did not know the source of his authority; to which Jesus responded that He would not answer their question either.
Nobody ever caught Jesus out. He always had the right answer and would never be trapped by those who refused to submit to Him. The reason is that His authority was the same as Father God (John 8:28). Colossians 2:9 puts it like this, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form ..." That is the reason why billions of people around the world trust Jesus today; because it is clear that His authority is higher than any on earth and equal to that of Father God. All His words and works prove that to be true. Of course, many who have no desire to call Him Lord will try to ridicule His authority (1 John 4:1-3); but the proof of His Divine authority will come when He returns in power to judge the world (Acts 17:31). However, wise people will not wait until that day to submit to His Lordship!
Prayer: Great God of all authority and power. Thank You that Jesus was fully divine as well as fully human, but without any sinfulness. His words and works are full of Your authority and therefore I am in awe of Him as my Saviour and my Judge. Please help me to honour Him fully in my life, by obeying His words and trusting in His powerful blood as the sacrifice for my sins. I accept that He has full authority over me as my Lord and so I am willing to do whatever He commands me. Forgive me when I have made up my own authority in rebellion to His, and help me to show that I love Your Word by doing what You say. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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