Questions of Authority

Mark 11:27-33

27 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.”

 

What gives you the right to do this?!

Judge me.

Tell me what to do.

Criticize me.

Get others to shun me.

Reward me.

Affirm me.

 

  1. Jesus and Authority Questions
  2. the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforceobedience.
  3. a person or organization having power or control in a particular, typically political or administrative, sphere.

 

  1. Authority as it relates to ability

It is the ability to act in different ways that indicates authority.

Authority allows one to act in a manner that is greater than the individual.

 

  1. Authority of Jesus demonstrated in Mark

Mark 1:    Authoritative teaching

21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

  (You have heard it was said…But I say to you!)

 

Authority over demons

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”

27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority!

Mark 3:

14 He appointed twelve[a] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.

Authority to Forgive Sins

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

 

  1. Authority and Jesus’ temple work

Jesus and the religious leaders can’t both be the authority as it relates to the temple!

Jesus corrects them as it relates to the Gentile court. “A house of prayer for all nations.”

Jesus holds them accountable for their allowing commerce in the “House of Prayer”

 

  1. Sources of Authority

And so the religious authorities ask Jesus who gave Him authority to judge their work.

  1. Authority comes from people

Who are you afraid of? Notice these types of phrases in the gospels:
11:32 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

John 5: 16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

John 5: 41 “I do not accept glory from human beings, 42 but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God[d]?

Matthew 6: 1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“You cannot serve two masters… Do not worry”

John 7: 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”

Matthew 23: Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

 

  1. Authority comes from God

Romans 13: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Matthew 23: Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you.

 

 

  1. Legitimate authority must be given

Authority is delegated.

To claim authority that does not belong to you is to rebel. This is one of the worst things that anyone can do.

People to God

Children to parents

Church to leadership

Citizens to government

The approval for acting is this way is very narrow.

 

III. Jesus’ Authority and You

 

  1. All must submit to Who Jesus is

It is because of Who Jesus is that He has authority.

Matthew 28:18 All authority in heaven and on earth has     been given to Me.

Phil 2:9-11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

 

  1. The work of Jesus on our behalf

For the Jewish people, they must accept that Jesus has established a new covenant. This is not a bad thing for them. But for the Jewish leadership of the day, they are not interested in this. They do not believe in Who Jesus is. This is the problem. Culturally they are invested in the eradication of the Roman authorities. They believe that God has called them to this! They will pay with their lives. They will die in their sins.

It is the acceptance of Who Jesus is that protects us from our lack of understanding of God’s actions in the world. We wait to understand because we:

69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

 

  1. Authorities establish accountability

        Romans 13: 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Mark 12: 7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”