Study The Word Daily Devotions

TUESDAY, 7 MARCH 2023

TEXT: Mark 11:27-33

27. Jesus and his followers went again to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking in the Temple area. The leading priests, the teachers of the law, and the older Jewish leaders came to him.

28. They said, “Tell us! What authority do you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?”

29. Jesus answered, “I will ask you a question. You answer my question. Then I will tell you whose authority I use to do these things.

30. Tell me: When John baptized people, did his authority come from God or was it from other people? Answer me.”

31. These Jewish leaders talked about Jesus’ question. They said to each other, “If we answer, ‘John’s baptism was from God,’ then he will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe John?’

32. But we can’t say that John’s baptism was from someone else.” (These leaders were afraid of the people, because the people believed that John was a prophet.)

33. So the leaders answered Jesus, “We don’t know the answer.” Jesus said, “Then I will not tell you who gave me the authority to do these things.”

(Easy-to-Read Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: JESUS ASSERTS HIS AUTHORITY

On the second day after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, he was at the Temple and chased out all those who had turned it into a marketplace. Verse 18 says: “The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”

One way these religious leaders thought they could indict Jesus and have a reason to ‘kill’ Him was to challenge the right and authority He has to act that way. His disposition towards the Temple was that of one who has power and control over it. As a result, the religious leaders felt their power and position threatened.

As usual, Jesus’ response was to refer to the biblical truth, which, if answered correctly, would expose the hypocrisy of these leaders. Perhaps your life is considered as a threat by others around you who are hypocrites, so they are looking for an excuse to crucify you.

Stick to the Word of God from where your authority derives and leave the rest to God.

QUESTION: Do you know what awesome power and authority you have in the Word of God for your daily living?

PRAYER: Embolden me, Lord Jesus Christ, so that I can pattern my life in accordance to Your Word. Amen.

 

Remain Blessed

ECWA Food For The Day, 2023.