and said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you this authority to do them?” Mark 11:28 NABRE
Jesus and His disciples visit the temple and during this visit Jesus challenges the market that is created in the temple for exchanging money and selling unblemished lambs. There is mounting hostility toward Jesus as the Chief Priests, the scribes and the elders openly confront Him. These leaders are stewards of the temple and feel challenged by works and actions of Jesus. Those who know Jesus know He is the Lord of the temple, the Beloved Son of God, having authority over all of Israel and its religious institutions. Feeling Jesus’ challenge to their authority these leaders ask by what authority is Jesus doing the things He has done and who gave Him the authority. They want Jesus to admit that they, the temple leaders, did not give Him authority and therefore, He is acting without authority and they have the right to take action against Him. Jesus won’t answer their question until they answer His question, which they refuse to answer out of fear leaving with their challenged rebuked. Jesus refusing to answer shows the hardness of their hearts, the leaders care more about power and authority then they do about being good stewards of God’s temple, which should be a place where all the devoted are welcome.
This temple system is something Jesus has come to undo, it gives power to a few and makes those who God puts first helpless. God is not satisfied with the leaders of Israel and will witness the destruction of the temple and the priestly system that has grown up around it. It has to make us wonder if Christianity hasn’t created a new temple system in place of the one God sees destroyed in Israel. Power and authority are not the means to life in the kingdom of God.
Do you attend church? Do you lead in the church?
Christianity has created a new temple system in place of the one God sees destroyed in Israel. Power and authority are not the means to life in the kingdom of God. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #authority #priest #Mark #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways