The Authority of Christ

And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Mark 11:27–33
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The Authority of Christ
The chief priests, scribes, and elders challenge Jesus, questioning His authority. Jesus, in His divine wisdom, counters their inquiry with a question of His own, exposing their hypocrisy and fear of the people. This passage highlights the tension between earthly authority and the divine authority of Christ. As we reflect on this encounter, we are reminded that Jesus' authority is not derived from human institutions or validations but from His identity as the Son of God. This authority was evident in His teaching, miracles, and ultimately, in His resurrection. Just as the religious leaders of Jesus' time struggled to accept His authority, we too may find ourselves wrestling with submitting fully to Christ's lordship in our lives. Let us examine our hearts and repent of any resistance to His authority. May we trust in Jesus, who holds all authority in heaven and on earth. In submitting to Him, we find true freedom and peace, knowing that our lives are in the hands of the One who has conquered sin and death.