PONDERINGS: The Question of Authority

Mark 11:27-33
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
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. By what authority are
you doing these things? they asked. And who gave you authority to do this?
Jesus replied, I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what
authority I am doing these things. Johns baptismwas it from heaven, or of human
origin? Tell me!
They discussed it among themselves and said, If we say, From heaven, he will ask,
Then why didnt you believe him? But if we say, Of human origin (They feared the
people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
So they answered Jesus, We dont know.
Jesus said, Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

FOCUS: Verses 28
and they said to Him, By what authority are you doing these things? they asked.
And who gave you authority to do this?

PERSONAL PONDERINGS:
The people who rejected Jesus were the ones in positions of top authority and
power. They were the ones accorded with greatest importance and subservience
because of the office they occupied. Hence, Jesus oppositors were the WHO IS WHO
of His times.
Jesus was a threat to their own security, enough reason for their envy and
jealousy. Also, fear and insecurity because once they lose their authoritythey lose the
power, honor, recognition, privileges that go with it. So, their pride whose utmost desire
was to keep themselves aloft, wellknown above everyone else was ready to strike.
They would never sacrifice their altar of selfimportance to Jesus authority, whose very
presence shook their ground. This pride breeds hatred. Jesus authority was a threat to
their own authority. Jesus must be eliminated. Crush item and His authority before He
brings them to their downfall.
 That scenario is the very same scenario in lifes dramas of today. In todays
society, in whatever field we lookpolitics, government, civic, economic, education, etc.
the script remains the same. Even religious institution has not been exempt from this
social malady. Pride and greed reign supreme in the arena of top most authority and
power. No one in his right mind would let go of the mighty pedestal one vs standing
on. This virus of pride and greed remains unchecked. It continues to run its course. In
fact, it was transcended from social to moral bankruptcy to spiritual battleground. A
war rages between Gods Kingdom and reign vs. the evil at large.
Hence, as in Jesus time nothing has changed. The issue remains the same:
The pride, greed and lust of man for authority which is the stage of his self-love and
self-importance against the authority of God who is the rightful authority as Owner of
the Kingdom.

PRAYER:
Most powerful God, I seek the victory of my soul in my war against greed and
pride and envy. But I cannot do it alone, Lord. Please help and sustain me. Open the
eyes of my spirit to every little hint of any of these sins; the most subtle sins of greed
and pride and envy. Go down with me to my innermost core; uproot the sources of my
sins and have them burned by the fire the Holy Spirit. Amen.

DISCUSSION STARTERS:
1. Please comment on the following:
Every action I make or every word I speak must be judged on the basis of these
standards:
a. Pride or Humility
b. Self-Importance or Obscurity
c. Greed or Self-giving
2. What entitlement in your life are you most afraid of losing? Why?