Luke 20: 1-8
Do you think credentials are important? Are you more likely to believe one who is an expert? What gives a person authority for you?
Authority is a significant issue for most of us. We feel cheated if we find out the one we hired didn’t actually have the degree they claimed; often it doesn’t matter that they are doing a good job. Abuse of position is so heinous in our thoughts because we give power to officials and we trust that it will be used for the common good. Decisions are often made based on the word of one who has the appropriate papers. Authority in society is given to those who demonstrate skill, knowledge, or have proof of expertise. So would not we like the chief priests and other leaders of Judah ask Jesus “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things [teaching in the temple and proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of God]? Who is it who gave you this authority?” Religious leaders more than any others must be authenticated for they possess the power to lead the people astray.
How do you know when one speaks for God as Jesus claimed he did?
Jesus’ answer is a question. What about John’s baptism; was it from God or humans? The leaders were afraid to answer for they knew they would enrage the crowd if they denied John’s inspiration, but they would condemn themselves for they had rejected him if they agreed with the people. So they replied that they didn’t know. Jesus thus refuses to answer their question. Is this a case where Jesus sees that these leaders already have decided that his authority is not legitimate? Is Jesus saying his authority is, like John’s, known by the people rather than the authorities?
What does Jesus accomplish by answering as he does? What do we learn about his authority? What do we learn about asking Jesus?
Jesus continues to teach and the scribes and chief priests realize more and more that he sees their rejection of him as rejection of Yahweh. They want him silenced but fear the crowds.
Lord Jesus, sometimes we are like the multitudes that seek and see. Sometimes we are like the authorities that feel responsible for what is and feel threatened by you. We often hear only those we find accredited, authorized by the institutions of our world. Help us to be open to the truth in whatever place you put it. Amen.
Do you think credentials are important? Are you more likely to believe one who is an expert? What gives a person authority for you?
Authority is a significant issue for most of us. We feel cheated if we find out the one we hired didn’t actually have the degree they claimed; often it doesn’t matter that they are doing a good job. Abuse of position is so heinous in our thoughts because we give power to officials and we trust that it will be used for the common good. Decisions are often made based on the word of one who has the appropriate papers. Authority in society is given to those who demonstrate skill, knowledge, or have proof of expertise. So would not we like the chief priests and other leaders of Judah ask Jesus “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things [teaching in the temple and proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom of God]? Who is it who gave you this authority?” Religious leaders more than any others must be authenticated for they possess the power to lead the people astray.
How do you know when one speaks for God as Jesus claimed he did?
Jesus’ answer is a question. What about John’s baptism; was it from God or humans? The leaders were afraid to answer for they knew they would enrage the crowd if they denied John’s inspiration, but they would condemn themselves for they had rejected him if they agreed with the people. So they replied that they didn’t know. Jesus thus refuses to answer their question. Is this a case where Jesus sees that these leaders already have decided that his authority is not legitimate? Is Jesus saying his authority is, like John’s, known by the people rather than the authorities?
What does Jesus accomplish by answering as he does? What do we learn about his authority? What do we learn about asking Jesus?
Jesus continues to teach and the scribes and chief priests realize more and more that he sees their rejection of him as rejection of Yahweh. They want him silenced but fear the crowds.
Lord Jesus, sometimes we are like the multitudes that seek and see. Sometimes we are like the authorities that feel responsible for what is and feel threatened by you. We often hear only those we find accredited, authorized by the institutions of our world. Help us to be open to the truth in whatever place you put it. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
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