Day 43: The Jewish leaders question Jesus’ authority
In the Disney film Encanto, the members of the Madrigal family each get a special power when they turn five. Pepa can control the weather. Isabela can make plants grow. Antonio can speak with animals. Dolores has superhuman hearing. Luisa has amazing strength. Bruno can see the future. As we’ve read through Mark’s gospel so far, we’ve seen that Jesus doesn’t have just one amazing power. He has them all. But where did He get His power and authority? That’s what the chief priests want to know in today’s passage.
When Jesus went back to the temple the day after He’d driven out the traders, what did the chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders ask Him (v. 28)?
Jesus offers them a deal in verse 29. What’s His offer?
What question does Jesus ask the religious leaders back in verse 30?
The religious leaders often try to trap Jesus. But here we see Jesus setting a trap for them instead.
In verses 31–32, the religious leaders think through the consequences of the two answers they could give to Jesus’ question. What do they know He will say if they reply that John the Baptist’s baptism came from heaven (v. 31)?
Why do they not want to reply that John the Baptist wasn’t sent by God but that his baptism was just of human origin (v. 32)?
What did they finally say in answer to Jesus’ question (v. 33)?
How does Jesus respond to their nonanswer (v. 33)?
The temple was God’s house, and throughout Mark’s gospel, we’ve seen Jesus proving that He has God’s own authority.
How did Jesus prove He had authority to forgive sins in Mark 2:10–12?
How did Jesus prove His authority over nature in Mark 4:39–41?
How did Jesus prove His authority over death in Mark 5:41–42?
How did Jesus prove His authority over sickness in Mark 11:51–52?
What did Jesus say He was going to do with His authority in Mark 10:45?
Praise Jesus that He has authority to forgive sins, to heal the sick, to raise the dead, to calm storms, and to move mountains! Thank Jesus that He always uses His power for good and that He was willing to lay down His life for us.