Friday, October 14: Mark 11- Authority we have in Christ.

I was fascinated by Jesus’ exchange with the authorities regarding authority.

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 of human origin? Tell me!” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ ...” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things” (27-33).

On the surface Jesus gives a cleaver response without divulging the authority He has. But my thoughts went beyond the conversation to thoughts about authority.

Clearly the issue of Jesus’ authority was important to the Jewish leaders. However, I am wondering what kind of response the Jewish leaders were anticipating?

Their actions to date would suggest that if Jesus told them His authority was from God, the Father, they would not have believed Him. I am assuming that if the Jewish ruling council gave Jesus His authority, they would know that. So were they thinking He might say the Roman governor was His authority? Was the question purely a ruse? I just don’t know.

Whether the Jewish leaders understood it or not, authority is an important concern in the spiritual world. In Matthew 28 Jesus says that he has “all authority.” And as Jesus’ disciples, understanding our authority in Jesus is an important concept in the Christian faith.

Knowing our authority in Christ allows us to prevail when the forces of evil assail us.

Do you understand the authority Jesus has imparted to us? If so, are you living into it? If not drop me an email and I can help you.

Lord, thank you for the authority Jesus has given us as His followers. Help me to live into my authority so that Your kingdom can advance and people will know that Jesus is Lord! Amen.