Jesus' Authority - Tuesday AM of Passion Week

 Mark 11:27-28 - Jesus' last trip to Jerusalem for Passover

What "things"?  (1)  cleansing the Gentile court
                        (2)  teaching the people (not a trained rabbi!) - in the temple courts of the Gentiles
                        (3)  challenging the established authorities!  OPENLY!!!

So..... "by what authority?  who gave You authority?"

Definition:  authority = delegated right to decide, give orders, take charge
= official permission to act - granted by Higher authority

In other words, they are saying "by what right do you do this?  who gave You control?  Put You in charge .... OVER us?!?!    (who do you think you are????)

Jesus answer - Mark 11:29-30 - ie "who gave John (John the Baptist) authority to preach, teach, baptize, criticize, and direct people?"
(incidentally ... these same men challenged John's authority also!! - John 1:19-26)

Their Response - Mark 11:31-32 - "can't say!" - bacause....??

So..... Mark 11:33 - (however, they did know)

Note difference between John and Jesus - John = great preacher, great following BUT "did no miracle" (John 10:41)

However, Jesus worked how many?  Miracles?  - no way to tell
Witness by how many people??? Scores

So.......... John 10:37-38 - even if don't believe me, believe the miracles

Contrast these leaders (a)  with common folk - example:  John 9:28-33 - believed Jesus was from God
                                  (b)  with some fellow leaders - example John 3:1-2

We might give these leaders benefit of doubt.....
But ... Jesus didn't!!  Mark 12:1-22 - He knew their hearts - that they knew and wouldn't admit it.
(Parable with allegorical elements) 

(1)  owner of the Vineyard = God/Father
(2)  the Vineyard = Israel, the nation
(3)  the tenants - Leadership of Israel
(4)  the servants of the owner - prophets
(5)  the Son - Jesus (Christ)
(6)  the "others" who received the Vineyard = Christians, Church

The meaning?  message? = pretty clear!!

Question:  Did the leaders understand this? - Mark 12:12

NOW they want not just to discredit Him.  They want to Kill Him - John 11:49-50, 53

So enraged, they want Lazarus eliminated also!!! - John 12:9-11 - He was a living testimony to Jesus' power and authority.

Now = extreme hostility!!!

Some lessons and applications for us:

1)  Refusing to answer a valid question does not excuse you from responsibility!
Example = leadership  "we don't know"?
Paul's comment on that?  Rom. 1:21 - didn't stay neutral, but became more and more calloused.

2)  don't let your education, social status, position, success, popularity, or pride get in the way of your common sense!!  Example =  leadership Not Recognizing Jesus!!   If He's God, He's God!!  Rom. 1:22

3)  If you determine not to believe ... nothing will convince you!  (against your will)
Example:  Abraham to the rich man (in hell) - Luke 16:27-31   Bowl judgments - Rev. 16:10-11
(don't wait 'til your heart is hard!!!)

4)  If you follow Christ, you will experience persecution (from a world that doesn't want His Moral Laws!)
Example:  Lazarus!! What did he do?  and yet they want to kill him!  2 Tim. 3:12 - promise that we will be persecuted for living Godly life in Christ Jesus.

5)  Jesus Is Lord!! ..... with ALL Authority!!
fully demonstrated in the Resurrection!! - Matt. 28:18

6)  Therefore ... you should accept Him, follow Him, Serve Him!!