By Whose Authority?

"Today's Devotion" For April 12, 2006

Read: Mark 11:2-35; Psalm 3

BY WHOSE AUTHORITY?

"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

One of the more colorful ways of asking our question for today, "By whose authority?," is the flippant query, "Who died and made you boss?" Quite possibly, if such flippancy had been a part of their demeanor, the religious leaders in Jerusalem (known as the Sanhedrin) might have asked that very question of Jesus following His Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem. Up to this point in Jesus' ministry, they had looked at Him with derisively and had spoken quite derogatively about Him and to Him. From Mark's account of the events following Jesus entrance into Jerusalem to the shouts of "Hosanna!", the attitude of these leaders - the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders - became even more negative toward Jesus. Mark tells us that they now feared Him because the people were "amazed at His teaching" (Mark 11:18).

When we last saw Jesus, He had been turning over the tables of the moneychangers, the benches of the sellers of doves, and preventing people from using the temple courts as a shortcut for their merchandise from the city to the Mount of Olives, teaching the people in the process. The next day, Mark tells us, Jesus returned to the Temple and was walking in the temple courts, presumably "patrolling" and, quite probably, teaching subsequent to the events of the day before. And, as is the case with most bureaucracies that have their "authority" challenged, the members of the Sanhedrin again approached Jesus with the challenge "And who gave You authority" ("Who died and made You boss?") to do this?" (Mark 11:28). If they hoped to intimidate Jesus, as they might have done to any of the rest of us, they were to be disappointed.

Jesus responds to them, not in defense of Himself or His ministry, but as One who is has authority. Instead of answering their question directly, He asks them one of more critical importance for their relationship with God. Asking the question, "John's Baptism - was it from heaven, or from men?”, Jesus put them on the spot. They were between "a rock and a hard place" because to answer the question would have revealed either their disregard of God's Will or put them at odds with the people, who believed John to be a prophet. At the heart of the question is the truth that Jesus isn't acting of His own accord, just as John the Baptist didn't act of His own accord, but in obedience to the Father. Jesus' entire life and ministry had been pointing to this one event - going the way of the Cross for the salvation of the world. His answer to their question is found in His laying down His life for our salvation and taking it up again in His resurrection.

As Jesus heads to the Cross, He does so in accordance with the Will of the Father. While the authorities are concerning themselves with "authority," Jesus is focused on serving the Father's Will. He wasn't about to ask the Sanhedrin for permission to teach God's Word, call people to repentance and faith, or accomplish our salvation. His way to the Cross was willingly followed and lovingly accomplished, according to the Will of the Father. By that very act of compassion and love for humanity, Jesus established His authority once and for all time. Having gone the way of the Cross and having risen from the dead, Jesus could state unequivocally at His Ascension, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18 -19a).

Prayer: Father, the world is concerned about such things as "Whose in charge?" and "Whose got the authority?" "Who died and made you boss?" is the typical response of us sinners to those things which call into question our life and actions. I know that I'm not always willing to listen to Your Word, much less obey it. I don't want anyone else to tell me what to do, which also includes You. Forgive me, Father, for Jesus' sake, for so stubbornly believing that I'm in control of my life and I can handle things quite will without anyone's help, especially Yours. Forgive me for so often acting as if I need permission from others in order to live for You and share Your love in Christ with others. Give me the courage and strength to seek Your Will at all times, be obedient to You as Jesus was, and, regardless of the circumstances arrayed against me, declare Your Good News to everyone I meet - both in word and deed. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
********************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.