“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. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” 29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!” 31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” Mark 11.27-33
I grew up knowing, understanding, and respecting authority. From my parents to my grandparents, teachers, and pastors, I had many healthy authoritative figures in my life. They guided, instructed, and kept me within boundaries, providing a pretty solid and stable childhood. Today, I find myself in a role of authority as a father, grandfather, boss, and elder in the church. It’s now my turn to offer positive authoritative guidelines and direction for those coming after me.
Jesus understood authority. He was under his Father God’s authority. Even though he was one with God, he did what he saw the Father doing (John 5.19). Jesus both imitated God and obeyed him. He teaches us about godly authority and how to respect those who are over us.
But in this passage, Jesus refuses to answer a question from those who would appear to be in authority over him. In this conversation with the Jewish teachers of the law and elders, they ask him a question — “By what authority are you doing these things?” Jesus knew, as they so often plotted, that they were seeking a way to trap and even kill him. They were not friends, to say the least. They had rejected Jesus as the Christ and God as Savior. They had turned the Temple into a market and were in it for gain rather than to bring God glory.
So Jesus is fully within his right to question their authority by withholding the answer to the question they all wanted to know – “By whose authority are you doing these things?” We know that it was God’s authority but these men wanted to trap Jesus. So he turns it around and leaves them speechless with a question about John the Baptizer — was his baptism and anointing from God or human? The religious leaders could not answer for fear of looking bad publicly or angering the crowds. Jesus withheld the answer to the source of his authority and had every right to do so (the Scripture says something about throwing pearls to swine.)
We, however, know and live under the authority of Jesus. We have been given this authority to do exactly what he does — to heal, to preach, to teach, to perform miracles in his name, to love, to offer forgiveness on Christ’s behalf. We have the authority, power, dunamis in the Greek, to be the Church.
Are you taking hold of that authority? Are you sending demons to hell? Are you praying for the saints? Are you activating the authority in faith to do the works of God and the Church?
I’m coming off a Global Methodist Church conference for the Western States in Las Vegas. In this city, there are many “authorities.” If we could see in the air in and over the casinos, we would see the battle of angels and demons for the souls of humankind. Every vice that you can imagine resides in this town. And yet, the Global Methodist Church decided to hold their conference here — calling for Sin City to become Saint City for the weekend. We did not stay in the Bellagio or Caesars Palace, we did not have the finest meals, but we were the church, glorifying God amongst a host of addictions and addicts. Putting into practice the command of Jesus in Matthew 5 — a light on a hill cannot be hidden.
Now is the time for us to live by God’s authority. Reject evil. Praise God. Put your full faith and trust in his word so that when the day of judgment comes, you will be able to stand your ground (Ephesians 6.13).
“O Lord God, I submit to your authority. I praise your name. Thank you for loving me and for allowing me to be your hands and feet, to know your power and your love. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill me with your might. Help me resist evil and seek holiness as you are holy. Cover us with your grace and live within our spirits. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen