By Pastor Dave Holland
“One day as Jesus was teaching in the Temple courts and preaching the good news, the chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders approached Him. ‘Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,’ they demanded. ‘Who gave you this authority?’”
It was actually a good question. “By what authority are you doing these things?”
Every leader should be accountable. Every teacher should be questioned. Every claim should be tested. The problem with the question was the dark motive lurking beneath the surface.
The Rabbis and clerics enjoyed great prestige in the shadow of the Temple and they flitted about in grand religious robes like peacocks. The crowd hushed when they came near. But they were not seeking truth. They were protecting power—their power. Jesus always cuts through appearances and gets to the heart of the matter.
The religious leaders already knew enough to believe. John the Baptist had publicly identified Jesus as the Messiah. He called Him “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” He testified that Jesus was God’s Chosen One.
The evidence was there. The problem wasn’t a lack of information. The problem was a lack of surrender.
We are often no different. To acknowledge Christ’s authority is to submit to His Lordship. And that is where many of us struggle.
We want Jesus as Savior. We are less enthusiastic about Jesus as King.
We want forgiveness. We are less certain about obedience.
When the Lord speaks clearly through His Word, we often respond the same way the religious leaders did. We stall. We argue. We make excuses. We look for another interpretation that is more comfortable.
I remember when I was dating the young woman who would eventually become my wife. The temptation to become sexually involved before marriage was strong. That temptation possessed every cell in my body! Yet Scripture was clear. God’s design reserved intimacy for the covenant of marriage.
I argued with God. How could something that felt so natural be wrong? Didn’t God want us to be happy? Didn’t He know how deeply we loved one another?
Of course, He knew. But He also knew something I didn’t. Sex outside of marriage destroys trust and commitment. Within marriage it strengthens and deepens them.
The issue was never whether I understood God’s command. The issue was whether I would submit to His authority. Eventually I had to accept His answer. No. And looking back, I am grateful I did.
The religious leaders feared losing their position, prestige, and influence. If they acknowledged Jesus, everything would change.
Many of us fear the same thing. What if Jesus asks us to forgive someone? What if He calls us to give generously? What if He asks us to change direction? What if He tells us to surrender something we desperately want to keep?
The question is never whether Christ has authority. The question is whether we will recognize it.
As a pastor, this passage convicts me. How often have I preferred what is safe over what is faithful? How often have I worried more about approval than obedience? I can still feel the insecure little boy inside me who wants affirmation and applause.
Yet, Jesus speaks with a different voice. Not the voice of public opinion. Not the voice of tradition. Not the voice of personal preference. The voice of the King.
And every disciple must eventually answer the same question: Who’s really in charge?
