The Question of Authority

Matthew 21: The End of the Beginning (5)

Pray Psalm 2.7, 8.
“I will declare the decree:
The LORD has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession..’”

Sing Psalm 2.7-9.
(Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High)
I will declare the LORD’s decree. He said, “My Son, I have begotten Thee.
Ask Me, and I will give you every land for You to rule as I have planned.”

Read Matthew 21.1-27; Meditate on verses 23-27.
What was wrong with their “reason”?

Prepare.
1. Why did the religious leaders confront Jesus?

2. How did Jesus respond to them?

Meditate.In our text today, the religious leaders barged in on Jesus as He was teaching in the temple (v. 23). Because they were the recognized “authorities” in all things pertaining to the temple, they decided to show Him up and reassert their authority over what could and could not be taught in those precincts.

Their question had two parts, each designed to put the matter of authority to teach on the table: “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” Undoubtedly, they thought that would both impress the crowd and leave Jesus stammering and stuttering. He was, after all, unschooled, as they saw it, and definitely uncredentialed. This public confrontation on the matter of authority to teach ought to put an end to Him.

Calmly and graciously, Jesus agreed to answer their question. On one condition: First, they must answer a question from Him. His question is the ultimate “hoist-them-on-their-own-petard” question: “What do you say about John the Baptist? Prophet? Or phony?”

The religious leaders “reasoned”. They knew that, where this question was concerned, either way they answered, they’d lose. So they decided to leave the question blank. By doing so, they declared to everyone present that they were not competent to judge a man dead now for nearly three years, a man who had only preached repentance and baptized. And they were not competent to give Jesus a straight answer? And Jesus was not John the Baptist. He had done and taught amazing things (“these things”). If they couldn’t even decide about John, they were in no position to try throwing their weight around with Jesus.

So Jesus refused to answer their question, and left them standing dumb and embarrassed in front of the people. Dumb and embarrassed, and angrier than ever. 

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
I watched a podcast several nights ago that was an interview.
A guest had been invited to the program to be asked questions.

The guest, upon receiving his first question, asked the host, rather audaciously, a question instead.
A question, like the chief priests and elders, asked. The intention being, to gain the upper hand and control.
On the podcast, the host immediately stated that there must be a misunderstanding—this was their program, and they would be asking the questions, thank you very much.
A hierarchy was established.

Jesus was doing the same thing.
The religious leaders barreled in, interrupted Jesus as He was teaching, and demanded to know by what authority He tore up their temple store and proclaimed that this facility be His Father’s House of Prayer. 
So, He set them straight. He was the Master of Wisdom—the Exemplar of the answer/don’t answer phenomenon (Prov. 26.4, 5). The hierarchy was established.

“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and 
the rulers take counsel together, 
against the LORD and 
against His Anointed, saying, 
‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.’
He Who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
the LORD shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and 
distress them in His deep displeasure:
‘Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion’” (Ps. 2.1-6).

The Hierarchy was established.

“Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, 
lest He be angry, and 
you perish in the way, 
when His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Psalm 2. 10-12).

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and 
given Him the Name which is above every Name, 
that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, 
of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and 
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, 
to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2.9-11).

Do not question His Authority. Ever. 
The Hierarchy has been clearly established from long ago.
Put yourself in your place (Rom. 12.1-3).
It’s tidier, easier, less embarrassing, and far more respectful than being forced there by the Host.

Reflect.
1. What does it mean to say that Jesus is Lord? What are the implications of this for our everyday lives?

2. What are some ways that we might question the authority of Jesus? Why is this not a good idea?

3. Precisely because Jesus’ Word is the last Word on everything, we should ask it a lot of questions. Explain.

Our Lord refused to answer their inquiry. It is best to shun needless disputes with wicked opposers. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Matthew 21.23-27

Pray Psalm 2.1-6, 10-12.
Pray for the nations of the world, and for the lost people in your Personal Mission Field, that they may turn to Jesus and worship Him.

Sing Psalm 2.1-6, 9-12.
Agincourt: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
Why do the nations vainly rage, conspiring together from age to age?
Earth’s kings and all of their couns’lors stand against the LORD and His Right Hand:

“Now let us cast His yoke below, His Kingdom authority overthrow!
Throw off His Law, reject His Word; no more be governed by this LORD!”

The LORD in heaven laughs in wrath at all who embark on this cursèd path.
His angry Word to them is plain: “Yet shall My King in Zion reign!”

Be wise, O kings, O judges, hear, and tremble with joy, serve the LORD with fear.
Embrace the Son, keep His wrath at bay, or you shall perish in the way.

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

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Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues readings from the book, The Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is working through a study of the role of reason in the life of faith. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.