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The authority of Jesus (Matthew 21:23-32)
Ruth, 15 January 2017
Part of the The Week The World Changed series, Sunday Morning service
In the week that changed the world, Jesus’ ministry was in the full glare of the religious authorities and they wanted him stopped. Face to face in the temple they challenged his credentials. Jesus turns their challenge into a clarifying choice: either to accept his divine commission as ‘the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29) or reject his authority and forfeit any part in God’s Kingdom.
The authority of Jesus remains a crucial question. Accepting Jesus’ claim – ‘All authority in heaven and earth is given to me’ (Matthew 28:20) – requires us humbly to say, ‘your will be done’.
Matthew 21:23-32
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « Anointed for Burial | Who is this “Son of Man”? | Jesus has the answer » |
Matthew 21:23–32 (Listen)
23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
(ESV)