From Passion to Resurrection #02 Tuesday - Jesus' Authority: Why do you ask a question?

Today is Tuesday of Passion week. 

Today’s scripture is Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8. 

Let me read Matthew 21:23-27
And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Tuesday of Passion week is called 'a day of debate' because Jesus had a debate with the religious leaders like the chief priests and the elders of the people attacked Jesus’ authority by asking this question, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)

There are two types of questions. One is a question that is really asking from curiosity because the person who wants to know and learn something. This is a good question. The other question is a question that is trying to attack and pull him or her down because their authority seems to be taken by him or her, which is a bad question with a bad motive. 

The question the religious leaders asked Jesus on Tuesday was a very good example of a bad question because they asked this question to Jesus from the insecurity of their authority, position, or leadership. They asked the question because they worried that People would leave them to follow Jesus. They wanted to pull down Jesus with a tricky question to get more recognition on them and keep their position and authority. 

What kind of questions do you ask? 

• Do you ask a question from your pure curiosity? 
• Or do you ask a question to attack and pull down someone to get more recognition on you or keep your position or authority? 
  
  

Do you truly have Jesus Christ (The Word of God) as the top authority in your life? Or Do you have something else besides Jesus Christ (the Word of God) as the top authority in your life? 

I hope and pray that all of us can have Jesus Christ (the Word of God) as the top authority in our lives, even though our words or position become insecure. If God says so, it is so. God’s Word must be the top authority in our lives. Jesus must be the top priority above all like our knowledge, experience, or expertise. 

Today, let’s ask this question to ourselves and meditate on it. 

• Do you truly believe the Word of God even though Jesus died on the cross? 
• Do you truly take the Word of God as the top authority in your life even though we might take insecurity of our authority or position? 
• Are you ready to obey the Word of God and follow Jesus above all other authorities in your life? 

Let Us Pray
Father, we thank you for bringing us into your presence. Today we looked at the people who attacked Jesus because of their insecurity on their position, power, or authority. 
Lord, please pour out Your Spirit upon us to have the unapproachable authority of the Word of God in our lives so that we can give the greatest glory and worship to you above all in our lives. 
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.