Who's in Charge?

Authority Challenged:

Background on 20:

Luke 9:51–24:53 A. Controversy in Jerusalem (19:45–21:4)

He cleanses the temple in a prophetic act that portrays the nation’s diseased religious condition (19:45–48). The leaders engage Jesus in various debates, but his replies only silence and frustrate them. They question Jesus’ authority (20:1–8) and then attempt to trap him in two dilemmas: a political offense against Rome (20:20–26) and a theological debate about resurrection (20:27–40). Jesus responds with three issues of his own. He describes how the nation is losing its place in the administration of God’s plan (20:9–19), how Messiah is more than David’s son (20:41–44), and how a certain poor woman worships God more faithfully than do Israel’s leaders (20:45–21:4). The leadership knows that something must be done about Jesus

Luke 9:51–24:53 2. Question About Authority (20:1–8)

Here is theological warfare in its most dramatic form. The leadership tries to catch Jesus in error, and so they test him in every sphere: personal, political, theological. Jesus responds by raising questions of his own.

You are our president.

It’s meant as a statement of authority but it comes with strings. One only stays in authority within a democracy as long as those who pull the strings are satisfied. You are the boss until you do something I don’t like.

You are God’s servant.

As the circuit visitor it is my job to assist congregations with the Calling of a pastor to serve at their church which has been giving me a unique reminder to this important aspect of the installation of a Pastor.

You have 650 bosses.

Sometimes people will say, you’re job is hard because you have 650 bosses. My response is, what really makes my job hard is that 650 people think they are the boss. I have one.