TUESDAY OF HOLY DAY

Reading: Mark 11, 27-33

In the ancient Temple, there were two famous cloisters, one on the east and one on the south side of the Court of the Gentiles that we talked a bit about last night. It was common for Rabbis and teachers to stroll in these areas and teach as they walked.

The chief priest, the scribes, the elders come up to Jesus and asked a most natural question. For a private individual to clear the Court of the Gentiles was almost unbelievable!

They cannot believe the audacity of Jesus. They’re thinking, "Who is this preacher who thinks he can come in here and cause a scene in the temple?" So that's what they ask Him: "Who do you think you are? We are the authorities here; if anything is wrong in the temple, we'll take care of it. Who gave you the right to come in here and do this?" Now, understand that they've really already answered the question in their own minds: No one gave Jesus this right. In their minds, He's a nobody, stepping on their turf and power.

Do the chief priests and elders and scribes really have a right to ask Jesus this question? Perhaps not in these demeaning words, and probably not in the tone of voice they used, but surely the religious authorities do have a right to ask about Jesus' authority. They just can't let anyone enter the sacred Temple and turn over tables.

So why does Jesus avoid answering their question? Why doesn't he simply say, "My authority is from God?”

Jesus doesn't answer them directly, because he knows that they are not interested in the truth. And Jesus exposes their lack of interest through the question He asks. "You ask me about my authority; let me ask you about John. Was his authority from God or from man?"

We need to remember verses 31 and 32. Are they concerned at all with the truth? In their discussions, does the true source of John's baptism arise at all? No. Their entire discussion is framed in terms of the response of the crowds. They don’t want or care about the truth. They are only concerned with their own popularity and prestige in front of the crowds.

So Jesus' answer to them is this: "You don't care for the truth, so why should I answer you? But if you care, remember: The source of my authority is the same as the source of John's -- as John himself stated."

You see brothers and sisters, the Christian must speak and live the truth, regardless of an expected response. We cannot be like the politicians of ancient times (the chief priest, scribes, and Pharisees), nor some of the politicians of modern times, scripting our remarks to play to whatever audience is in front of us.

If we are to bear fruit that lasts, if we are to take on the character of Jesus, we must be willing to speak the truth of the gospel, whether it is popular or not, whether we are in the midst of a great Cathedral, or facing humiliation and persecution, whether it will lead to our being honored or our being put to death.

Through his word, Jesus is speaking to each of us this evening. Jesus never claims authority for himself.

The question for us is: In your life, how much authority will you give to him?