The King's Authority

THE KING’S AUTHORITY REVEALED

Through Cleansing the Temple (12-22)

Jesus had previously declared, “Something greater than the Temple is here” (Matthew 12:6) and in this chapter He puts His Greatness on display by purging the temple of perverted worshipers and reestablishing it as house of prayer.

Jesus demonstrates his authority by acting out, Malachi 3:1-4

Through Curing Diseases (14)

Jesus acts out Isaiah 35:5-7

Through Cursing Fruitlessness (18-19)

Jesus demonstrates His authority of nature

Why would Jesus curse this fig tree?

The Tree was all leafed out like it was an early bloomer, but when Jesus got close enough to inspect it he realized that the tree hadn’t produced any fruit. It looked like it was ripe with fruit but really it barren as could be.

Is this Just an uncharacteristic fit of rage from Jesus or is there more significance to this event?

The fig tree is often symbolic for Israel (Hosea 9:10; Joel 1:7) and a barren fig tree symbolizes the judgment of God (Jer. 8:13).

“I will surely snatch them away,” declares the LORD; there will be no grapes on the vine and no figs on the fig tree, and the leaf will wither; and what I have give them will pass away” (Jer. 8:13).

In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells a parable about a barren fig tree. This fig tree parable symbolized the need for repentance.

The barrenness of the fig tree symbolizes the spiritual barrenness of Israel, especially her religious leaders.

Through Rewarding Faithfulness (20-22)

Jesus promises to His disciples that they can experience the power of God unleashed on their lives, “If you have faith and do not doubt.” What a powerful promise coming from Jesus! Faith and confidence linked together are rewarded with God’s blessing. Now this faith that Jesus describes is the faith that aligns itself with God’s will praying “Thy Kingdom come and thy will be done” and this confidence is confidence in God alone to supply all that we need, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The disciple who aligns himself with God’s will and trusts in God alone to make good on all His promises shall experience God working in his life. “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” This statement is a declaration of the terms and limitations of our request. “All things you ask”. We may come to God over and over again. There is no limit on how often we may draw from God’s Heavenly Bank. The only terms He sets is that we must be believing. Believing that God is willing and able to grant every promise according to His will.

“This gives us a grand check-book on the Bank of Faith, which we may use without stint. How wide are the terms: “all things whatsover ye shall ask in prayer believing,”! If we are enabled to pray the prayer of faith, we shall gain the blessing, be it whatever it may. This is not possible concerning things unpromised, or things not according to the divine will. Believing prayer is the shadow of the coming blessing” (Charles Spurgeon)

The King’s Authority Questioned (23-27)

“By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave you this authority” (23)

Is your authority from God or from men?

“The baptist of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” (25)

John the Baptist was the forerunner to Christ and he declared Jesus to be the Messiah. So Jesus puts to them a question that will make them state their position regarding Christ.

“If we say, ‘From Heaven’, He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him? But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet. (26)

The hearts of Israel’s leaders are now being revealed. They question Jesus because they don’t believe and because they fear people.

Many people today are asking the same questions as these leaders: “Is Jesus’ authority from God or men?” They are afraid of what others will say if they submit to the authority of Jesus or they are hardened by unbelief. What ever the reason, many people are still questioning Jesus’ authority, but one day they will not question. One day all there questioned will be answered and they will bow before the majesty of Christ. (Rom. 14:11)

The King’s Authority Rejected (28-41)

The Parable of the Two Sons (28-32)

The first parable exposes hypocrisy and unbelief. The chief priests and the elders are like the son who professed willingness to do the Father’s will but in reality never submitted to the Father’s request. The prostitutes and tax collectors are like the son who repented and submitted to the Father’s will. How shocked the chief priests and elders must have been when Jesus said that ta collectors and prostitutes would enter the kingdom before them!

The Parable of the Landowner (33-41)

The second parable exposes greed and selfishness. The tenants desperately wanted to own the field they were working and so they killed all the landowners slaves and even his son to try an steal the field. But, when the landowner comes he will will destroy them. How sad it is that so many think they are in control of God’s kingdom. They want to inherit the kingdom, but only on their terms. This will never work because only the terms of Christ will be accepted.

The King’s Warning to Everyone who Rejects His Authority (42-44)

Acts 4:10-12, “let it be known to all of you, that and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, who God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands before you in good health. He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. And there is alvation in no one else for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by hwich we must be saved.”

What does submission look like?

Repentance (32)

Confessing Christ as Messiah (15,42)

Joyfully depending on god to accomplish His will in our lives (21-22)

Producing Kingdom Fruit (43)

Maturing in your obedience to the Sermon on the Mount.