And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “by what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come?” From heaven or from man? And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘from heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why, then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, “From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Jesus spoke out more now in His ministry of who he truly was. The chief priest and elders didn’t necessarily like it. They were offended by HIm. They didn’t like it because Jesus called them out on their behaviors. They ask by what authority does Jesus have! He responded to them with a question, but they really couldn’t answer it, so therefore Jesus didn’t answer them either.
Instead, he takes this opportunity to speak two parables.
Do you Believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ?
Do you believe that he has authority?
Tomorrow we will discuss 2 of the parables that Jesus used to teach some of his last moments before his sacrifice.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask that you speak to us about these events of Jesus last days with us. Help us to understand what needs to be understood and to truly believe Jesus is your son and has authority.
In Jesus Name
Amen
