WHO IS BOSS?
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Opening Prayer
I come to you today, Lord Jesus, thanking you for your unfailing love and constant presence with me. Thank you for the forgiveness you offer me and for the purposes you have for me as I follow you.
Read MARK 11:20–33
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [26] [b]
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
27 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. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Footnotes
- Mark 11:23 Some early manuscripts “If you have faith in God,” Jesus answered, 23 “truly
- Mark 11:26 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Matt. 6:15.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are your plans for today? How will you carry them out? What’s your motivation?
Authority is the key word for Day 3 in Jerusalem. Who has the right and the power to take decisive action in the temple precincts? It’s a key issue for the Sanhedrin, who are responsible for the policing of the temple courts. They cannot ignore Jesus’ cavalier action of the previous day. It undermines their authority. It’s a law-and-order issue.
Jesus’ response is subtle. First, he has prepared the ground for the Sanhedrin’s question with the incident with the fig tree. Peter draws everyone’s attention to the withered remains of yesterday’s growing tree (v. 21). Jesus’ teaching about faith in prayer begins with the authority behind a believer’s faith: ‘Have faith in God’ (v. 22). By implication, that’s the source of Jesus’ own authority in dealing with the sorry fig tree. Second, when challenged by the Sanhedrin, Jesus turns the issue into a classic rabbinic debate. Unlike his opponents, Jesus is not attached to an authorized rabbinic school. Nor was John the Baptist. So where did John’s authority come from? If the Sanhedrin reply that it came from God, Jesus’ response would be to question their doubts about John. If the Sanhedrin reply that it was no more than John’s strength of personality, then … verse 32b gives us the answer.
There are times when our thoughts, words, and actions can appear countercultural to those who don’t share our beliefs. For instance, wealth, integrity, gender, and the sanctity of life are live issues. So, what is our authority for expressing these views? Our faith is to be rooted and grounded in God, not our own bias, nurture, social constructs, or popular philosophy.
Apply
When our faith is wavering, whom do we fear? Is it self-doubt, public acceptance, or unresolved guilt that compromises our authority?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, guide me into deeper understanding of truth in Scripture. Give me clarity and enable me to speak that truth to others with wisdom and love.
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