The Question We Cannot Dodge...
All throughout human history, God's authority has been challenged. Scripture first records this In Genesis 3 when Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. By reading Mark's gospel, we also see Jesus' authority challenged multiple times due to the many miraculous works that He performed. Four such miracles are as follows:
1) Jesus exercises authority of the supernatural by casting out demons – Mark 1: 21-28
2)Jesus exercises authority to forgive sin – Mark 2:1-11
3)Jesus exercises authority over nature by calming a storm – Mark 4:1-9
4)Jesus exercises authority over death by resurrecting Jairus daughter - Mark 5:21-43
Furthermore, this same questioning continues today. Below are some examples of what various religions and worldviews would ask Jesus today if they could interrogate Him:
Judaism: By what authority do you reinterpret the Law and cleanse the Temple, when that authority belongs to God alone?
Islam: By what authority do you accept worship owed to God alone, when authority belongs to the One who sent the prophets?
Naturalism: By what authority do you claim power over death, when nature answer to no one and grants no one no such authority?
Secularism: By what authority do you speak in the public square, when religious claims hold no authority over public life?
Progressivism: By what authority do you impose old moral absolutes, when authority now belongs to the liberated conscience of each person?
Moralism: By what authority do you offer forgiveness apart from my effort to be good, when authority belongs to whoever keeps the rules well enough to earn it?
Stated concisely, every voice, ancient and modern, asks some version of the same question regarding Christ's authority.
Today's passage, Mark 11:27-33, records one such instance when Jesus' authority was challenged by the chief priests and scribes. Specifically, after Jesus cleansed the temple, they asked Him the following question in verse 28: "By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Interestingly, Jesus astutely responded by asking them a question of His own that demanded a response: "Jesus said to them, 'I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me'" (Mark 11:29-30). And, just as He did with the chief priests and scribes, Jesus will also ask those living today a direct question (albeit slightly different due to our specific circumstances) that demands a response when we challenge His authority. Today’s message, titled The Question You Can’t Dodge, presents three revelations regarding the specific question that Jesus asks us. The first revelation is….
Questioning the authority of Jesus reveals our contention with Him
If you have ever been a babysitter, you know the difference between a child simply asking a question verses belligerently questioning your authority. For example, when it is bedtime, the child may ask the question one of two ways. She may simply say “Why do I have to go to bed so early?” Or, she may question your authority by saying “who said I have to go to bed? You’re not my mom”. Obviously, the phrasing makes a huge difference. Likewise, the tenor of your questioning towards God also makes the difference with the point of conflict being who has determining authority: Jesus or yourself? Cultural Christianity will tell you that Jesus has the authority to rescue you from eternal hell and grant you eternal life. But, how you live your life until you get to heaven is your choice. The problem with this view is that God's word, in many passages, tells us otherwise. One such passage is Mark 8:34 which states the following: "And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" Based on this verse and many others throughout scripture, the premise is clear: for the born again Christian, the heart of following Jesus is submitting completely to His voice.
So, why do we avoid directly answering this question? For some of you, your evasive non-answers to God's direct question is a desire for no authority so that you can continue living life how you see fit. In fact, you may have strayed away from the Good Shepherd for 10+ years and have no desire to return to His fold. For others, these evasive answers are an attempt to avoid exposure and the perceived judgment that comes with that. Finally, for some, it may simply be that you have never accepted God's gift of salvation to begin with. Regardless of the reason, none of us, despite our best human effort, are a good king over our lives and, when trying to be so, do more harm than good. However, there is good news; wherever you find yourself within this spectrum, the Christian Gospel teaches that Jesus’ mercy invites you into a kingdom where a loving, good and gracious King reigns. Friend, if you have not yet accepted Christ’s salvation and yielded your life completely to Him, will you do so today? And, if you are already a born again believer but have not yielded complete control of your life to Christ, will you begin doing so now?....
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