The Authority of Jesus
Sunday’s Verse:
From Matthew 21:23 ESV
And when (Jesus) 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?”
As Jesus was in the temple, the chief priests and elders asked him. "Who gave you authority to do this?" They were asking him what allowed him to do what he was doing.
Jesus responded with a question. Did John receive his authority from heaven or man?
The leaders were at a loss. They couldn't answer. If they said from heaven, then Jesus could ask them why they didn't believe. If they said from man, they would have the people against them. Because they all believed that John was a prophet.
"We don't know," they replied.
They knew. They just didn't want to admit it.
We can do this as well. Sometimes the word of God gives us an answer that we don't want to know. We try to barter with it. Try to reason with it. But the word of God will stand regardless of whether we like it or not.
Which leads us to Jesus.
Jesus has authority because he is the Son of God. Not because we gave him that authority. He is the one who will not condemn you if you come to him.
That is what we believe as Lutherans. We don't trust in our own wisdom. Our own righteousness. Or that we can fix things ourselves. We listen to the word of God and trust that Christ will give us forgiveness.
Who gave Jesus authority?
Do you trust the one who has it?
✝️ A Prayer for Today
Gracious Father, give all of Your children hearts to hear and accept Your Word. When we question Your ways, remind us of who You are and of the love You have shown us through Jesus’ cross and resurrection. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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