Authority! – Mark 11:27-33
Authority! – Mark 11:27-33
By Pastor Lee Hemen
October 31, 2010 AM
From the time we are born, until the time we leave this earth, some of us will go kicking and screaming. The reason is we have a problem with authority. We think either we are in control or that we should be in control, when in fact neither is true. Perhaps this is why some of us need to be smacked right away on our bottoms when we are born! There are those who will spend their entire lives trying to be in authority. I have met college professors who thought that simply because they had earned a PhD they were to be respected and thought of as an authority. Sadly, these professors were usually the most detrimental in their teaching and garnered the least amount of respect.
The question concerning authority, who has it and who does not have it, has been around since the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve decided they were in control. And here is the truth of the matter: We decide who or what is going to be the spiritual authority in our lives. We chose and no one else decides for us. Questioning God’s authority is nothing new, as I stated earlier, even Jesus faced those who questioned his authority to do some of the things he did. Let’s look this morning at the issue of authority and discover what it means for our lives in Christ.
READ: Mark 11:27-33
Rebellion has its roots in questioning authority. In fact, we need to understand that…
I. Those in sin always question authority! (27-28)
1. “They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you authority to do this?’” (Mark 11:27-28) These religious rulers were more concerned for the continued wealth that was garnered from the payments the temple and its minions received from the buying and selling of sacrificial animals, than the spiritual health of the nation. They had grown rich from the exchange of money into the temple coinage. Jesus had the audacity to confront them publicly. He had exposed their hypocrisy and thereby embarrassed them in front of the dutiful dimwitted crowds that had gotten used to doing things their way. People who have become compliant spiritual sheep will always allow ungodliness to corrupt the things of God. These teachers of the law knew that nowhere in the laws that God had given Moses were they supposed to buy and sell in the temple. Nowhere did God say they could grow rich by adding taxes or fees for the exchange. These ungodly policies during Jesus’ day were inventions of sinful men who were more interested in worldly gain than keeping the temple a place devoted to the worship of God. Like spoiled children who are confronted, these flawed phonies got mad instead of repenting. “Who died and made you boss?” is their basic complaint. Those in sin always question authority.
EXAMPLE: Personal security comes from intrinsically knowing who is in control and why. Ask any child. They immediately want to know who is in charge. When children are confused about the authority in their lives, they begin to act out of insecurity. Whether it is a nation, a business or a family there has to be someone who is in charge. This is why God made husbands the head of the household, why children are to obey their parents, why pastors are to be subject to the church under Christ, and why Christians are to be servants of the Lord. When we question the authority God has placed on our lives, we show our insecurity. In fact, we show our rebellion and rebellion comes from spiritual insecurity. Spiritual strength, peace, and comfort come from giving God control of our lives. Sin comes when we try to wrest from God his rightful place of authority. Those in sin always question authority!
Confidence comes from knowing how little or how much authority you have. In fact, we need to remember that…
II. Those who are in authority know it! (29-30)
1. “Jesus replied, ‘I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!’” (Mark 11:29-30) And people dispute that Jesus was never sarcastic. Jesus knew exactly by whose authority he did the things he did – his own! God had given it to him. His counter argument is a quintessential rabbinic argument. He answers by demanding they answer him instead! At first, his question to them sounds like he is trying to throw them off target and get them angry with John instead of himself. This is not the case. Jesus’ question concerning John’s baptizing in the region of the Jordan River goes to the heart of the issue. John called people to repentance. He desired that the Jews prepare themselves for the coming Messiah. John had received his ministry and mission from God. The implication of Jesus’ question is that if John’s ministry came from God, then so does his. How these ungodly examples of faith falter in answering Jesus, further exposes what they truly believed about him. Jesus knew exactly where his authority came from. Mark wrote that, “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” (Mark 1:22) Jesus was completely confident in his answer because he knew where his authority came from. Those who are in authority know it!
EXAMPLE: Christians are not to be weak willies. When Jesus related that the “meek shall inherit the earth,” he didn’t mean the butterflies and baby deer, nor did he mean those who acquiesced their God-given authority in him. Christians are to be bold about their faith, strong in what they believe, and never take a backseat to heresy or ungodliness! Can you imagine Jesus going to the temple, banging a tambourine, and then crying out, “People! People, let’s come to a consensus here, shall we? You give a little and I will give a little and we can meet one another in the middle, okay?” Perhaps if Jesus had dialogued with the Sanhedrin or Pilate, then they could have all got together and sang, “Kumbaya!” There is no way Jesus would nor could have done such a thing. He did what he did because he knew who he was! Sadly, too many folks who call themselves “Christian” have no idea what it means, nor who Jesus is! Paul would remind us, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:9-10) Christians have the “fullness of Christ” in every way. Paul would relate that our salvation “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age… eager to do what is good… Encourage and rebuke with all authority.” (Titus 2:11-15) Why? Because those who are in authority know it!
The problem the world faces is one of authority. In fact, folks have forgotten that…
III. God has the authority! (31-33)
1. “They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will ask, “Then why didn’t you believe him?” But if we say, “From men”...’ (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, ‘We don't know.’ Jesus said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’” (Mark 11:31-33) I love Jesus’ answer here! These scheming little miscreants knew they were wrong! They knew their questioning of Jesus was baseless and thereby totally ungodly. They had only wanted to justify their own immoral behavior and perhaps trap Jesus so they could find a way to discredit or kill him. Sadly, unbeknown to them, they had really told the truth: They didn’t know where John’s baptism was from! How could they? They were completely unrepentant and thought they were justified in blinking the people of their money through ill-gotten means. Spiritual ignorance is no excuse! And justified spiritual ignorance is worse! They should have known the answer, they should have never asked the question, and they should have known who Jesus was and recognized him as the Messiah! Jesus would later remind his followers “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) Earlier in Jesus’ ministry when they had asked him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24) Jesus would bluntly reply, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:25-30) Those who follow Jesus know God has the authority for their lives. Jesus is God and he knew that God has the authority!
EXAMPLE: There in a nutshell is the problem many have in accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord – they have to give up their perceived “authority.” They actually think they control their lives! Nothing could be further from the truth! When I was in the Naval Reserves undergoing training to abandon ship during a fire drill, one guy constantly trashed around in the water. Consequently, he sank. The drill instructors would yell at him to relax, but to no avail. Finally, they threw him a life preserver. He then had to choose to put it on, relax, and allow it to float him safely in the water. The same applies to our lives in Christ. We have to choose to accept Jesus as our authority, put him on, and daily float or rather walk in him. We either sink or swim concerning Jesus’ authority in our lives. During the last Passover Jesus celebrated with his followers, he washed their feet. Peter objected. Jesus bluntly tells Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” (John 13:8) It was a question of authority. Ask yourself, “Who has authority in my life?” We would do well to remember that God has the authority and not us.
Conclusion:
We learned several important truths concerning authority today: 1) those in sin always question authority, 2) those who are in authority know it, and 3) God has the authority! How do you view God’s authority this morning?
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
By Pastor Lee Hemen
October 31, 2010 AM
From the time we are born, until the time we leave this earth, some of us will go kicking and screaming. The reason is we have a problem with authority. We think either we are in control or that we should be in control, when in fact neither is true. Perhaps this is why some of us need to be smacked right away on our bottoms when we are born! There are those who will spend their entire lives trying to be in authority. I have met college professors who thought that simply because they had earned a PhD they were to be respected and thought of as an authority. Sadly, these professors were usually the most detrimental in their teaching and garnered the least amount of respect.
The question concerning authority, who has it and who does not have it, has been around since the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve decided they were in control. And here is the truth of the matter: We decide who or what is going to be the spiritual authority in our lives. We chose and no one else decides for us. Questioning God’s authority is nothing new, as I stated earlier, even Jesus faced those who questioned his authority to do some of the things he did. Let’s look this morning at the issue of authority and discover what it means for our lives in Christ.
READ: Mark 11:27-33
Rebellion has its roots in questioning authority. In fact, we need to understand that…
I. Those in sin always question authority! (27-28)
1. “They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. ‘By what authority are you doing these things?’ they asked. ‘And who gave you authority to do this?’” (Mark 11:27-28) These religious rulers were more concerned for the continued wealth that was garnered from the payments the temple and its minions received from the buying and selling of sacrificial animals, than the spiritual health of the nation. They had grown rich from the exchange of money into the temple coinage. Jesus had the audacity to confront them publicly. He had exposed their hypocrisy and thereby embarrassed them in front of the dutiful dimwitted crowds that had gotten used to doing things their way. People who have become compliant spiritual sheep will always allow ungodliness to corrupt the things of God. These teachers of the law knew that nowhere in the laws that God had given Moses were they supposed to buy and sell in the temple. Nowhere did God say they could grow rich by adding taxes or fees for the exchange. These ungodly policies during Jesus’ day were inventions of sinful men who were more interested in worldly gain than keeping the temple a place devoted to the worship of God. Like spoiled children who are confronted, these flawed phonies got mad instead of repenting. “Who died and made you boss?” is their basic complaint. Those in sin always question authority.
EXAMPLE: Personal security comes from intrinsically knowing who is in control and why. Ask any child. They immediately want to know who is in charge. When children are confused about the authority in their lives, they begin to act out of insecurity. Whether it is a nation, a business or a family there has to be someone who is in charge. This is why God made husbands the head of the household, why children are to obey their parents, why pastors are to be subject to the church under Christ, and why Christians are to be servants of the Lord. When we question the authority God has placed on our lives, we show our insecurity. In fact, we show our rebellion and rebellion comes from spiritual insecurity. Spiritual strength, peace, and comfort come from giving God control of our lives. Sin comes when we try to wrest from God his rightful place of authority. Those in sin always question authority!
Confidence comes from knowing how little or how much authority you have. In fact, we need to remember that…
II. Those who are in authority know it! (29-30)
1. “Jesus replied, ‘I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!’” (Mark 11:29-30) And people dispute that Jesus was never sarcastic. Jesus knew exactly by whose authority he did the things he did – his own! God had given it to him. His counter argument is a quintessential rabbinic argument. He answers by demanding they answer him instead! At first, his question to them sounds like he is trying to throw them off target and get them angry with John instead of himself. This is not the case. Jesus’ question concerning John’s baptizing in the region of the Jordan River goes to the heart of the issue. John called people to repentance. He desired that the Jews prepare themselves for the coming Messiah. John had received his ministry and mission from God. The implication of Jesus’ question is that if John’s ministry came from God, then so does his. How these ungodly examples of faith falter in answering Jesus, further exposes what they truly believed about him. Jesus knew exactly where his authority came from. Mark wrote that, “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” (Mark 1:22) Jesus was completely confident in his answer because he knew where his authority came from. Those who are in authority know it!
EXAMPLE: Christians are not to be weak willies. When Jesus related that the “meek shall inherit the earth,” he didn’t mean the butterflies and baby deer, nor did he mean those who acquiesced their God-given authority in him. Christians are to be bold about their faith, strong in what they believe, and never take a backseat to heresy or ungodliness! Can you imagine Jesus going to the temple, banging a tambourine, and then crying out, “People! People, let’s come to a consensus here, shall we? You give a little and I will give a little and we can meet one another in the middle, okay?” Perhaps if Jesus had dialogued with the Sanhedrin or Pilate, then they could have all got together and sang, “Kumbaya!” There is no way Jesus would nor could have done such a thing. He did what he did because he knew who he was! Sadly, too many folks who call themselves “Christian” have no idea what it means, nor who Jesus is! Paul would remind us, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:9-10) Christians have the “fullness of Christ” in every way. Paul would relate that our salvation “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age… eager to do what is good… Encourage and rebuke with all authority.” (Titus 2:11-15) Why? Because those who are in authority know it!
The problem the world faces is one of authority. In fact, folks have forgotten that…
III. God has the authority! (31-33)
1. “They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will ask, “Then why didn’t you believe him?” But if we say, “From men”...’ (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, ‘We don't know.’ Jesus said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’” (Mark 11:31-33) I love Jesus’ answer here! These scheming little miscreants knew they were wrong! They knew their questioning of Jesus was baseless and thereby totally ungodly. They had only wanted to justify their own immoral behavior and perhaps trap Jesus so they could find a way to discredit or kill him. Sadly, unbeknown to them, they had really told the truth: They didn’t know where John’s baptism was from! How could they? They were completely unrepentant and thought they were justified in blinking the people of their money through ill-gotten means. Spiritual ignorance is no excuse! And justified spiritual ignorance is worse! They should have known the answer, they should have never asked the question, and they should have known who Jesus was and recognized him as the Messiah! Jesus would later remind his followers “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) Earlier in Jesus’ ministry when they had asked him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24) Jesus would bluntly reply, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:25-30) Those who follow Jesus know God has the authority for their lives. Jesus is God and he knew that God has the authority!
EXAMPLE: There in a nutshell is the problem many have in accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord – they have to give up their perceived “authority.” They actually think they control their lives! Nothing could be further from the truth! When I was in the Naval Reserves undergoing training to abandon ship during a fire drill, one guy constantly trashed around in the water. Consequently, he sank. The drill instructors would yell at him to relax, but to no avail. Finally, they threw him a life preserver. He then had to choose to put it on, relax, and allow it to float him safely in the water. The same applies to our lives in Christ. We have to choose to accept Jesus as our authority, put him on, and daily float or rather walk in him. We either sink or swim concerning Jesus’ authority in our lives. During the last Passover Jesus celebrated with his followers, he washed their feet. Peter objected. Jesus bluntly tells Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” (John 13:8) It was a question of authority. Ask yourself, “Who has authority in my life?” We would do well to remember that God has the authority and not us.
Conclusion:
We learned several important truths concerning authority today: 1) those in sin always question authority, 2) those who are in authority know it, and 3) God has the authority! How do you view God’s authority this morning?
----
Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2010 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.
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