Mark: A question of authority [Mark 11:27-33]

Mark: A question of authority []

We will conclude chapter 11 this morning, if we recall we began chapter 11 with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This event marks the beginning of the last week in the life of our Lord. The event we looked at the last two weeks as Jesus examined Jerusalem was the story of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple. In those events we’ve seen Jesus’ judgment upon unfruitfulness, the fig tree represented unfruitful Israel. The cleansing of the temple was due to the fact that they had made the temple a house of thieves and not a place of prayer.

Jesus came into the heart of religious life and finds no spiritual fruit and false worship. Jesus teaches His disciples that the life of a true follower should be marked with fruit, faith, and forgiveness. What does Jesus find today when he enters our churches and examines our lives? That’s the question for our day. So our text today picks up after Jesus has cleansed the temple and ran out those exploiting others. The religious leaders come to Jesus with a question of authority. Let’s read from Mark

stand for the reading of the word of God []

Holman New Testament Commentary: Mark IV. Life Application: Playing to Win

The football rivalry between Cherry Creek High School and Thomas Jefferson High School in Colorado has been going on for a long time. Some time ago, the two schools battled for the state championship. Thomas Jefferson was leading in the fourth quarter and it looked like they might upset Cherry Creek, who was seven points behind. Then Cherry Creek scored a touchdown, bringing them within one point of tying the game. The coach faced a tough decision. Should he play it safe and go for the one-point PAT and then try to win the game in overtime, or should he risk everything and go for the two-point conversion to win?

He went for the two-point conversion. It failed, time ran out, and Thomas Jefferson won the coveted championship. Asked later about the decision, the coach stated that if he had it to do over, he would make the same choice. He said he did not believe in “playing it safe” or playing for the tie. Always play to win

Holman New Testament Commentary: Mark IV. Life Application: Playing to Win

The football rivalry between Cherry Creek High School and Thomas Jefferson High School in Colorado has been going on for a long time. Some time ago, the two schools battled for the state championship. Thomas Jefferson was leading in the fourth quarter and it looked like they might upset Cherry Creek, who was seven points behind. Then Cherry Creek scored a touchdown, bringing them within one point of tying the game. The coach faced a tough decision. Should he play it safe and go for the one-point PAT and then try to win the game in overtime, or should he risk everything and go for the two-point conversion to win?

He went for the two-point conversion. It failed, time ran out, and Thomas Jefferson won the coveted championship. Asked later about the decision, the coach stated that if he had it to do over, he would make the same choice. He said he did not believe in “playing it safe” or playing for the tie. Always play to win

This is the call of Jesus in our lives. Jesus does not call us to play it safe, and there are no ties in life. You win or you lose. You live or you die. The Sanhedrin, the religious leaders of Jesus day, asked Jesus about his authority…but they needed to face a question that really mattered…and that question is… “what difference will the answer make?” They wanted to know about Jesus authority, but what difference will the answer make in their lives? Would they be willing to take risks when they got the answer? Is it a genuine question for them? Would they be ready and willing to fully commit themselves to God?

We are faced with these same questions today aren’t we? What difference does the authority of Jesus make in our lives? Are we willing to take risks for Christ? Will we fully submit our lives to God? It’s not enough to be interested or fascinated by Jesus…it’s not enough to be frightened or cautious with Jesus…curiosity about Jesus in history is not enough…either we stand ready to fully commit our lives to Him or we don’t! This is the dilemma of the religious leaders…this is the dilemma we face today.

From this point in Mark through chapter 12 five controversies are recorded that parallel five controversies from earlier in Mark. In both cases the opponents of Jesus are the religious leaders, and things are moving toward a climactic ending…the cross. In this controversy today we’ll see three common reasons why people will not follow Jesus.

The leaders question []

Priest, scribes, and elders represent the Sanhedrin [v.27]: Jesus renters Jerusalem the next day walking around in the temple, most likely examining the results of the previous day when a formal deputation of the Sanhedrin come questioning Jesus’ authority to do what he has done.

The Sanhedrin were the Jewish high court, they exercised both political and religious authority in Israel. It consisted of 71 men lead by the acting high priest. Their power was enormous, and they were supersensitive to anyone or anything threatening their authority…and Jesus was such a threat. They came questioning Jesus authority, which they clearly rejected. They are, no doubt, referring to what Jesus had done the prior day in the temple, and are basically asking, who gave you the right to do what you did in the temple? But this is not the first time they’ve question Jesus about his authority…, ; …This man teaches with authority, cast out demons with authority, and heals with authority…he does what only God can do…yet these men want to see his ordination papers.

they are not motivated by a willingness to know who Jesus is, they have no desire to bring their lives under his authority, their goal is to ensnare him, embarrass him, and discredit him. In their minds, if he claims authority with no credentials he is acting on his own authority and the people will lose respect for him and on the other hand if he makes a divine claim to authority they can get him on blasphemy and arrest him…either way they have him trapped or so they think.

The nature of the authority [v. 28]: They begin with a question of the nature of the authority. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they ask. and also...

The acquiring of authority [v.28]: i.e. “who gave you this authority?” in essence both questions have the same intent…not authentic but to trap Jesus and accuse him of either blasphemy saying his authority is from God or of political insurrection…claiming to have authority not given by the political powers that be, i.e. the Roman magistrate.

The question of authority is an important one. We all have a source of authority in our lives, someone or something that guides us an drives us, something that rules us. For many of us, like the Sanhedrin, it’s ourselves. And many are not really interested in surrendering that authority to anyone else.

Jesus question in return []

Jesus’ “answer me” takes control of the situation [v.29]: Instead of falling into their trap, Jesus countered by asking a question of His own, agreeing to answer theirs if they would answer His. This was a common tactic in Rabbinic debate, it was considered a fair approach to debate, the one being questioned had every right to questions back. Jesus emphatically says, “I will ask you one question..” turning the spotlight from him to them. Jesus statement repeated “answer me” demonstrates he has taken control of the situation. That question is…verse 30...

John’s baptism…from heaven or men? [v.30]: Jesus asked them directly about the source of John the baptists baptism…was it from heaven or entirely human? As we will see in the next two verses this puts the religious leaders in a quandary, their in a state of perplexity, uncertain how to answer this, they are in quite a predicament. We should note that this question wasn’t an attempt by Jesus to avoid answering their question, it exposed their heart and motives…in fact by taking them to John’s baptism He is answering their question in a round about way.

The leaders’ quandary []

They reasoned among themselves [v.31]: This group of sneaky self-centered envious dudes now realize that what they had attempted to do, back Jesus into a corner so as to accuse him, had backfired. I picture in my mind this group of over confident guys coming to Jesus saying, “by what authority do you do these things? Who gave it to you?” and Jesus saying, I’ll answer that if you answer this… “John’s baptism…from heaven or from men?” And they were like…uhhhhh…give us a minute. These guys, I tell you, they have tried to trick Jesus before and they just don’t learn do they? Now, they’re the ones with the dilemma. Because if they answer...

From heaven…a faith issue [v.31]: They understood…if we say John’s baptism was from heaven, then He’ll say then why did you not believe Him. But if we say it was...

From men…a fear issue [v.32]: They feared the people because everyone recognized John as a prophet and his ministry was from God. So they are in quite a pickle here.

So what’s up with these guys? Why are they so consumed with Jesus? Envy, when we get to chapter 15 when Jesus is before Pilate, Mark notes that Pilate knew that it was because of envy that they had handed Jesus over. Envy is the flip side of the coin of vanity…when I’m envious it’s because I’m vain. It’s because of pride that a person gets envious when someone else out does me or gets more credit than I do…I want that credit, I deserve that credit, I want people to listen to me…that’s envy on account of vanity. When I’m humble I can rejoice in someone else’s victories, or talents, or successes, etc. but envy says look at me…that’s the case with these fellows.

So why did Jesus bring up John’s baptism? Why is it so important? Well that’s a good question, I’m glad you asked. What was John’s ministry? A preparing ministry…he was preparing the way for the Messiah. His baptism was a baptism of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. All the signs and evidence of John’s ministry was signs that it was commissioned directly from God…and the people believed it to be so. It was obvious! Everything was exactly as foretold by the OT prophets…so if it was obvious that John’s ministry was from God…what was it that John said about Jesus when John was baptizing??? Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. So if John’s ministry was from God and John testified of Jesus that Jesus is the One whom the scriptures had foretold about…what does that say about Jesus ministry and authority??? It’s from God! That is exactly why Jesus brought John’s baptism up…it testified to the authority of Jesus…Jesus is the One in whom all the authority of heaven resides!

The stand-off []

They avoid Jesus’ question [v.33]: So what do these religious leaders do with that??? They avoid Jesus’ question. Filled with pride and controlled by fear they say… “we do not know”. In the end they say the only thing they could say without commitment.... “we don’t know”. They were like the Laodiceans in -lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, playing it safe…that is appalling to the Lord, he will vomit them out. Jesus knew their hearts therefore...

Jesus will not answer their request [v.33]: If they are not willing to risk themselves, and are just playing it safe…then what difference will it make what Jesus says? Better to be hot or cold than lukewarm…I can’t help but think there are many today that are playing it safe…they are neither for Jesus nor against Him but on the fence…Let me just say…there is no fence…if you avoid the question of who is this Jesus…then he will not answer your request.

I want to conclude with some application from this text on...

Application: Why are people not willing to Follow Jesus?

1. They will not submit to His authority: The question of authority is an important one. We all have a source of authority in our lives, someone or something that guides us and drives us, something that rules us. For many of us, like the Sanhedrin, it’s ourselves. And many are not really interested in surrendering that authority to anyone else.

Many are not willing to submit to Christs’ authority because Christ interferes with our lives. C.S. Lewis called Jesus the transcendental interfere. We’d much rather be ruled by ourselves than submit to the Lord…but the question of authority is the all important one. why???

Remember the great commission? , “go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” But you know what we often omit from that saying, that gives this commission it’s power…verse 18, Jesus said to them, “all authority has been give to me in heaven and on earth.” Did you hear that? “all authority” in heaven and on earth! That’s what gives the commission it’s power…it’s the authority of the commissioner. The one with all authority has commission us, His followers, to go, make disciples, baptize, teach, observe. We go in His authority and under His authority…so the question of authority is important because we must submit to the One with all authority!

why else will people not follow Jesus?

2. They refuse to examine the evidence: Jesus’ responses to the religious leaders is one of evidence, He in essence says, “let’s look at the evidence.” but what’s their response??? refusal to examine the evidence. The evidence that Jesus is the Messiah is overwhelming, and the flocks of people to Him are evidence as well. The religious leader didn’t deny the evidence surrounding Jesus, they struggled with how to set it aside. I wonder how many today who will not submit to Jesus’ authority are just like this. They don’t deny the evidence surrounding Jesus, just struggle with how to set it to the side.

For many the real problem is not evidence but it’s our sin. The idols of our heart are the real issue. If I accept Jesus is the Son of God who died for my sins and was raised from the dead, then my life will not be the same…but I like my life, with my eyes shut and my ears plugged…I do not want to talk about it…so many refuse to examine the evidence. also...

3. They fear men more than they fear God: The final reason from our text today on why people are not willing to follow Jesus is…they fear men more than they fear God. Few things are more paralyzing than fear. God’s word addresses that fear is common to all people. , “the fear of a man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.” The end of lays out the core of the religious authorities…they were afraid.

Isn’t it sad that what they thought was safe was more important than what was true or right? Their claim to not know was a lie motivated by fear. They would rather live a lie than submit to Christ and walk in truth.

So the question we are faced with is, have you submitted to the authority of Christ? If you have not…what’s holding you back? Is it a desire to lord over your own life? Is it a refusal to consider His claims? Is it that you fear men more than God?

What’s keeping you from surrendering to Christs authority?