Lent: Journey Through the Holy Land – Part 42

When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Matthew 21: 23-27

As Jesus drove out the money changers and merchants from the temple, the religious leaders questioned Jesus. Who does he think he is? What gives him the right to do these things? By what authority? Who gave him this authority?

This scripture has been on my mind for the last 24 hours as I’ve reflected on it. Often times I’ll search the web for blogs and reflections on passages of scripture that I don’t fully understand, or if I’m looking for a deeper meaning. Or sometime just to see if someone else is interpreting it the same way I am.

It always fascinates me how people can understand scripture differently and how they connect it to their life and their experiences.

In this passage, Jesus’ question back to the religious leaders struck me. I kept reading it over and over and over.

You have the religious leaders essentially asking Jesus, “Who do you think you are?” and then Jesus responds with a question.

And when I read Jesus’ response, I hear the tone of his voice as: Why are you asking me this? You know who I say I am. You have heard it from me. You have heard it from my disciples. You have heard it from the crowds. I’ve spent the last three years of my life proclaiming it.

While his question, I read as:

Who do you say I am?

Jesus isn’t directly asking the religious leaders this questions. But rather he asks about John. For if they say John’s baptism is from heaven, then they are validating Jesus’ authority and acknowledging he is who he says he is. If they respond with from human origin, then they accuse Jesus of blasphemy while also upsetting the crowds.

So the religious leaders decline in answering the question, claiming they do not know.

Who do you say I am?

As Christians, our identity lies in Christ. Who we say he is, determines who holds authority in our lives.

And while I would love to be able to say that Christ has authority over every aspect of my heart, mind and soul, I cannot. But each day I try. Sometimes it’s a “Here I am Lord, send me” submission, or a “Not my will but Yours be done.”

What are areas of your life you have struggled to give Christ authority over? Who do you say Jesus is?

Lord, we offer ourselves to You. For Your will, for Your work, to serve Your people. Lord we thank You for the sacrifice You made for us. Help us to surrender to You, giving You authority over our lives. Amen.

Abbey Jo