By What Authority?

[Jesus and His disciples] 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, NIV 1984).

My Musings – What things are the “chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders” challenging?

Following His triumphal entry, “Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.” (Mark 11:11, NIV 1984).They returned the following day, and “on reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.” (Mark 11:15–17, NIV 1984).

A couple things are worth noting. First, this was no uncontrolled outburst on Jesus’ part. The previous day, He had “looked around at everything.” So, He was very well aware of what was going on a day earlier. This was a controlled and measured response. Nevertheless, as Isaiah predicted, “zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.” (Psalm 69:9, NIV 1984). This was likely an authority that the “chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders” reserved for themselves. Perhaps they even profited from the activities taking place?

Second, having witnessed Jesus’ actions, “the chief priests and the teachers of the law…began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.” (Mark 11:18, NIV 1984). This is why they confronted Jesus, challenging His authority. They were looking to trap Him into saying something that they could claim was blasphemous. but Jesus outwitted them. His time was quickly drawing to an end, but the time for the Passover Lamb had not quite arrived.

My Advice – “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, [is] slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness…yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.” (Exodus 34:6-7, NIV 1984). If He did, Jesus would not be headed to the cross. Nevertheless, we must treat the Holiness of God with proper respect. Something the money changers and sellers of doves lacked.

“Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” (Job 38:2–3, NIV 1984). We also should not question or challenge God’s authority like the “chief priests and the teachers of the law.” And that is what many are doing today when they question or set aside God’s Word.