The Confrontation: Luke 20:1-8
“1) On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, 2) and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” 3) Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: 4) Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” 5) They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6) But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7) So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8) And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”” Luke 20:1-8
This text captures what Jesus was doing between His Triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His arrest and trial. He spent His last week teaching in the temple and preaching the gospel. He gave Himself to His Fathers work.
The content of His teaching during this week is recorded in Matthew 21-25; Mark 11-13; Luke 20-22 and John 12-17. This teaching focused much on the coming ministry of the Helper, the promise of His return and the end times.
It was during this phase of His teaching that Jesus was confronted by the chief priests, scribes and elders of the people. This was a serious confrontation.
Their issue came down to authority! They demanded; “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Notice, they included not only what He was saying but also what He was doing. This included His signs and wonders.
The question of authority is huge. Ultimately, there are two sources of authority; God and man.
Jesus replied by asking about the ministry of John the Baptist; “was it from heaven or from Man?” Notice, the scribes and scholars were with them.
Jesus was forcing them to acknowledge Malachi 4 and the prophesy of the ministry of Elijah. In others words, John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah, and the people all knew it.
Jesus had them backed in the corner. The answer to their question was right in front of them. God was at work fulfilling prophecy. His authority was the Word of God, Heaven itself and His position of being the Messiah. Even Moses pointed to His coming ministry.
They were willfully blind. They were jealous and carnal. They were protecting their own turf. They were bent on destroying Jesus.
The issue of authority is crucial. It applies to every believer. By what authority can we preach the gospel and minister to the needs of people? By what authority can we as believers represent Christ in this world?
It must be emphasized that Jesus gave His authority to His followers. Study the Great Commission Jesus gave to His followers in Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 14-16 and Acts 1-2.
Until you settle the issue of your identity and authority “in Christ”, you will forever be weak, tentative and powerless. You can be religious but you cannot live and walk in the fruit and power of the Holy Spirit.
Authority and power are interwoven. You cannot have one without the other. We have been given the authority of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“1) On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, 2) and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” 3) Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: 4) Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” 5) They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6) But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7) So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8) And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”” Luke 20:1-8
This text captures what Jesus was doing between His Triumphant entry into Jerusalem and His arrest and trial. He spent His last week teaching in the temple and preaching the gospel. He gave Himself to His Fathers work.
The content of His teaching during this week is recorded in Matthew 21-25; Mark 11-13; Luke 20-22 and John 12-17. This teaching focused much on the coming ministry of the Helper, the promise of His return and the end times.
It was during this phase of His teaching that Jesus was confronted by the chief priests, scribes and elders of the people. This was a serious confrontation.
Their issue came down to authority! They demanded; “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Notice, they included not only what He was saying but also what He was doing. This included His signs and wonders.
The question of authority is huge. Ultimately, there are two sources of authority; God and man.
Jesus replied by asking about the ministry of John the Baptist; “was it from heaven or from Man?” Notice, the scribes and scholars were with them.
Jesus was forcing them to acknowledge Malachi 4 and the prophesy of the ministry of Elijah. In others words, John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah, and the people all knew it.
Jesus had them backed in the corner. The answer to their question was right in front of them. God was at work fulfilling prophecy. His authority was the Word of God, Heaven itself and His position of being the Messiah. Even Moses pointed to His coming ministry.
They were willfully blind. They were jealous and carnal. They were protecting their own turf. They were bent on destroying Jesus.
The issue of authority is crucial. It applies to every believer. By what authority can we preach the gospel and minister to the needs of people? By what authority can we as believers represent Christ in this world?
It must be emphasized that Jesus gave His authority to His followers. Study the Great Commission Jesus gave to His followers in Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 14-16 and Acts 1-2.
Until you settle the issue of your identity and authority “in Christ”, you will forever be weak, tentative and powerless. You can be religious but you cannot live and walk in the fruit and power of the Holy Spirit.
Authority and power are interwoven. You cannot have one without the other. We have been given the authority of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
