Whose Authority

Introduction

Read Luke 20:1-8

Luke 20:1–8 ESV

1 One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Explanation

They were attempting to trick Jesus. If he said “God,” they could string him up for blasphemy. If he said himself or anyone else, he deligitimized himself before the crowd. Or so they thought…

Jesus is the one who will offer forgiveness of sin.

No longer is the temple the nexus of forgiveness for the Hebrew people.

This is good news - the blood of bulls and goats cannot ultimately save.

Jesus is the appropriate and sufficient sacrifice for sins.

Jesus is the complete and final sacrifice.

Who had given Jesus authority?

The Father had given Jesus the authority, and the authority was Jesus as a member of the Triune God.

No one gives Jesus authority. God doesn’t have to ask your permission to be God. And Jesus doesn’t need your approval for his teaching. And Jesus doesn’t have to answer your questions. Nor does he for the temple leaders.

Jesus is the one who gives authority - not the other way around.

Jesus teaching was authoritative. I think this is a miracle of sorts that we don’t really discuss as often as the others.

Jesus teaching is miraculously authoritative. We have not seen its equal in our life on the earth. All of the technologies, education, footnotes, scholars, etc. - all “authorities in their field.

But beyond any of this, there is a tangible “authoritativeness in Jesus teaching.”

Jesus offers a rebuttal.

Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?

Now this was as much of a Catch 22 question as theirs was.

If they said, “Heaven,” then the people would believe Jesus.”

If they said, “Man,” then the people would riot and stone them because they love John.

What does Jesus do in a question? He exposes that the actually don’t have the authority that they claim they do. They are held subject, in some way, to the people there.

No human has unfettered authority. We all answer to someone.

And we all answer to God.

Invitation

How does the unrivaled authority of Jesus challenge you and comfort you?

How do we interact with people who deny God’s authority?