Submit to Jesus' Authority

INTRODUCTION

What are your first thoughts or feelings when I say this word — submit. 

Constraint, suffocation, lack of independence, etc. Submission is not a popular word in our culture today. 

Can’t submit to objective truth. Entitlement — can’t submit to leadership/bosses. Speed limits — it’s fun to drive fast. 

I believe these thoughts about submission totally misunderstand what’s inherent in submission. Let me illustrate. 

*car seat illustration — What I’m about to describe is the most bizarre thing to me. If you have children you’ll be able to relate. My son loves going outside. So if I am holding him and playing with him and then we go outside, normally he is the happiest of babies. But as soon as I open the car door and attempt to place him in his car seat, there’s a switch that’s flipped. My sweet, never done anything wrong, happy, smiling baby turns into a raging, stiff, gremlin. I think babies might have super strength, because trying to get Logan’s arms and legs bent and buckled in takes all of my strength. (Joke about Amanda being stronger). It’s like we’re putting him in jail. 

Here’s the irony. The car seat isn’t punishment. It’s protection. My son thinks freedom means wriggling loose from the straps, but real safety, peace, and joy (like going to the park, Crystal’s house, etc.) only comes when they submit to being strapped in. 

Here me. Humanity has an authority problem. 

Submit to Jesus’ Authority. 

In our passage today Jesus is calling us to submit to his divine authority and experience peace, confidence, and security. 

Let’s begin at the end of our passage by looking at verses 41-44.

Luke 20:41–44 KJV 1900

41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son? 42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

The Jew understood the Messiah to be merely the son of David — a mere man. Jesus, quoting from Psalm 110:1 (the most quoted verse in the New Testament), claims that the son of David is not only David’s offspring, but also David’s lord.

Psalm 110:1 KJV 1900

1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Revelation 22:16 KJV 1900

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Jesus is the God of David while being the offspring of David.

GOD’S AUTHORITY IS JESUS’ AUTHORITY (Luke 20:41-44)

Jesus exercises equal authority as God.

This is the foundation for the rest of the message. 

Believers in the room. You may believe Jesus to be the Son of God, yet how you live your lives reflects you believe yourself to be the ultimate authority. The passage today demonstrates that submitting to Jesus’ authority in every aspect of your life brings great peace and security to the believer.

Unbelievers in the room. You may have never heard of Jesus before or maybe you’re struggling with who you believe Jesus to be. The passage today is a warning that those who reject Jesus’ authority or those who pursue their own authority will receive great judgement from God. 

This where we left off last week, Jesus, through a parable and an Old Testament prophecy, warned his listeners that if they rejected the Messiah (the Son of God) there would be impending judgment.

Luke 20:19 reads:

Luke 20:19 KJV 1900

19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

Jesus’ claims to be God and have the authority of God angered those who opposed him. Namely the chief priest, scribes, and Sadducees.

Luke 20:20 KJV 1900

20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

Notice the word Luke writes in this verse — AUTHORITY. There was a recognized structure of authority in Israel. Who had authority? Rome. What was the goal? Deliver this guy who is claiming the authority of God to the occupying authority of Rome. And so…

Luke 20:21–26 KJV 1900

21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s. 26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Mark’s account of this interaction exposes who the spies were — Pharisees and Herodians (Jews appointed by Rome to rule over Israel — loyal to the Roman emperor), and Luke’s account exposes who they believed Jesus to be.

Think back a couple of weeks ago (only a chapter ago) to the triumphal entry of Jesus. What were the crowds shouting?

Luke 19:38 KJV 1900

38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

The crowd believed Jesus to be King. While rightly said, the application was misunderstood.

In an attempt to deliver Jesus to the Roman authorities under the charge of treason, the spies ask a question about paying taxes to Caesar.

In short, Jesus’ answer called for a recognition of and submission to the authority of Caesar, while also recognizing and submitting to the authority of God.

GOD’S AUTHORITY EXTENDS OVER CIVIL AUTHORITY (Luke 20:-26)

Government exercises limited authority. God exercises supreme authority.

mom having authority in her house / Jeremiah having authority in his house / government having authority over both

“The higher authority — the highest authority — is God’s authority. Taxes belong to Caesar; hearts and souls belong to God. — Thabiti Anyabwile

A penny or denarius has Caesar’s bears his image. It’s only right that he asks for it back.

Yet, every human being bears God’s image, it’s only right that he asks for our submission.

Bearing the image of God requires submission to our Creator. 

Kevin DeYoung, writing on imago dei (the image of God) comments on Matthew’s account of this event with the following words:

“The image of God in us means that we belong to God. When Jesus asked the Pharisees whose likeness was on the denarius, they said Caesar’s (Matt. 22:20–21). They should have also stopped to consider whose likeness was on them. “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21). Caesar can have his taxes. Human beings belong to God, not to Caesar.”

Peter writes similarly in 1 Peter 2:17

1 Peter 2:17 KJV 1900

Fear God. Honour the king.

APPLICATION

Jesus submitted to his earthly authority.

Hear me, Jesus had the authority of God, yet willingly submitted to the occupying authority of Rome.

Pay your taxes. That’s very clear from Jesus’ answer.

Graciously submitting to governmental authority (even a hostile authority) glorifies God.

1 Peter 2:13–15 KJV 1900

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

God, as the supreme authority, delegates authority.

Daniel 2:21 KJV 1900

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, And knowledge to them that know understanding:

Believer. Governmental authority doesn’t need to scare you or anger you. If you turn on the news and get unnecessarily angered or scared, you might not recognize or understand Jesus’ authority. Our peace and security doesn’t rest in who is our mayor or is in the white house. We can rest securely in Jesus’ authority knowing he sets up kings and rulers and he still reigns above them all.

Unbeliever. Did you know that our government is not our final authority? Yes you answer, respond to, and submit to our government and its realm of authority. But our government has only limited authority. King Jesus reigns supremely over all. Jesus’ answer here is a call to recognize Jesus’ authority in your life and submit yourself to him.

The people following Jesus understood him to be a revolutionary — a King ready to overthrow Rome and establish his own kingdom in Israel. Jesus’ answer did not incriminate him. The spies were disappointed and even marveled at his answer.

Now, let me ask a question right here: How many of you like having authority? (maybe at work, in the home, in the church) You have control, you get to make decisions, you are in charge of people.

Our culture prizes authority. And the Jewish culture was no different. In our next section of Luke 20 we are introduced to the Sadducees.

Sadducees — They were the conservative, aristocratic, high-priestly party. Small in number, the Sadducees held the prominent religious seats of power and authority. The chief priests were Sadducees. The Sanhedrin were comprised mostly of Sadducees.

A hallmark of the Sadducees is that they only recognized the writings of Moses (the Pentateuch as authoritative) and held to a strict, literal interpretation of Scripture.

If the Pharisees above had questioned Jesus on the grounds of civil authority, the Sadducees decided to challenge Jesus on the grounds of Scriptural authority. — Thabiti Anyabwile

We already discussed that some believed Jesus to be a political anarchist. Now most others believed Jesus to be a Great Teacher/Rabbi/Master. And so the Sadducees (holding religious authority in interpreting Scripture) decided to challenge this great teacher.

Luke 20:27–33 KJV 1900

27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 32 Last of all the woman died also. 33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

Spurgeon writes, “Probably, this was one of the stock stories they (Sadducees) were in the habit of telling in order to cast ridicule upon the resurrection.”

But this question finds basis in a law of Moses entitled the Levirate Marriage and can be found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. We won’t look at it specifically, but perhaps you are familiar with an illustration of this law.

*story of Ruth.

So the Sadducees wield this law of Moses in order to proclaim there is no resurrection. Now this is a hot button issue in ancient Israel. Similar to the Roman occupation, people had strong feelings concerning the resurrection.

Remember Paul?

Acts 23:6–8 KJV 1900

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. 7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

One commentator writes that Jesus, via the question from the Sadducees, had entered into a battle —The Battle over the Scriptures.

Here’s the simple question the Sadducees are asking — If the resurrection is true, then who is this woman married to if she had seven husbands?

Jesus’ answer exposes for us two realms in which Jesus has authority in our lives.

God’s authority is present in Scripture, which is as authoritative as God Himself. (Luke 20:27-39)

Luke 20:34–38 KJV 1900

34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

Jesus appeals to Scripture as authoritative.

If Jesus has authority, why didn’t he just answer the question. Instead, he answers by appealing to the authority of Scripture. 

The incarnate Word of God heralds the written Word of God. 

1 Timothy 3:16 — theopneustos (God-breathed)

1 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Jesus reveals their knowledge of Scripture.

There’s a problem here. The religious authorities answer concerning Moses and the resurrection did not match up with Jesus’ answer concerning Moses and the resurrection. And here’s the fundamental flaw with the Sadducees.

Matthew 22:29 KJV 1900

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Believer, we must know the Scriptures. Jesus doesn’t mean be familiar with the Scriptures or be well read in the Scriptures. Jesus points to their use of the Scriptures.

Let me pause for a moment. This is something I tell the kids and teens often.

My goal is to help kids and teens read the Bible. Pretty noble goal right? Not if I stop there. My goal is to help them read the Bible and understand the Bible. Still a pretty noble goal right? But I believe I have failed if I haven’t helped them take the next and final step. And church the same is for you and I: We must read, understand, and apply or be changed by the Bible. You are only submitted to the authority of Scripture if you are being changed by Scripture.

Believer. how are you doing in this area? Do you struggle even to read the Bible.

Unbeliever. Here’s a window into what Christians believe. We believe the Bible is the very authoritative Word of God. Fundamentally, we gather and hear the word, sing the word, and pray the word. Being submitted to Jesus is being submitted to God’s Word.

What’s also beautiful about the Bible is that the Old Testament and New Testament compliment and reinforce one another. We see this in the gospels and even here with Jesus. But there is one consistent message. (use this to jump to the next point) It’s a message of HOPE.

The Sadducees interpretation of Scripture left them with an understanding that the present life was all there was. Death was the end. This view of Scripture promoted their quest for power and authority in the present age with no concern for an “afterlife.”

Jesus’ answer corrects their views on the resurrection by claiming to have authority over even death itself.

GOD’S AUTHORITY EXTENDS OVER DEATH (Luke 20:27-39)

Jesus appeals to Exodus to answer their question and to prove the resurrection.

Exodus 3:6 KJV 1900

6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

If Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not live on in the resurrection, then God could not say that He is the God of Abraham, and would instead say, “I was the God of Abraham.”

According to Moses, there is a resurrection because God is the God of the living.

God is the God of the living not the dead. 

The Sadducees lived in light of the present. This was their one shot. They attempted to gain authority, status, money, and power now.

You may be sitting here and believe in the resurrection. Yet live life focused on the present and on temporal things.

Here me believers, we believe in the resurrection, we’re citizens of heaven, let’s live settled in the fact that when we die and depart this earth we don’t stay in the ground. No! We live forever more with our King and Savior Jesus!

Believers. This life is the worst it’s ever going to get for you. The next life is going to be the best it could possible ever get.

Unbelievers. Your best life is now. This is the best it will ever get.

The call is simple. Submit to Jesus’ authority.

Jesus conquers death on the cross. (Gospel application) 

The ultimate submission to Jesus and the ultimate hope for the future looks like confessing Jesus as your Lord (authority) and Savior.

*add more here.

Jesus with his authority commissions the church to proclaim the hope of the resurrection.

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

While Jesus has extended hope, he prophesies of judgment.

God’s authority brings judgment on those who pursue their own authority. (Luke 20:45-47)

Luke 20:45–47 KJV 1900

45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

The Sadducees, Pharisees, scribes, and chief priests had an authority problem. They wanted authority. Jesus was taking away their authority. He was threatening their little kingdoms.

The warning is simple: One day (Revelation 19 prophesies), Jesus is going to come again in judgement. Those who pursue their own authority will be judged and our passage even adds they’ll receive greater damnation.

CONCLUSION

Believer. Submission to Jesus’ authority should be one of the most basic aims of our life. Jesus’ authority inspires us with anticipated hope for the resurrection, and desire to be deeply formed by God’s authoritative Words, and a willful submission to other ordained authorities. If we submit to Jesus, life will be infused with hope, joy, peace, and security.

Unbeliever. The warning is clear. God’s judgment is coming. Call upon Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior.

*illustration about kids growing up and being adults and realizing the intention behind submission.