Jesus was the revealer of hearts (Luke 2:34-35). If you read the passage you will note that
people’s hearts are most revealed by Jesus’ rejection (He was a sign which will be spoken against … that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed). Today’s passage most profoundly
reveals the hearts of the chief priests
and the elders of the people.
The resistance of the
leaders was indicated by their question: By
what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority? The very asking of the question indicated
that they, the established leadership in the Jewish community, had not
authorized Jesus’ ministry. He did not
represent them.
The things they are referring to are likely
the cleansing of the temple as well as the fact that He was teaching in the temple
area (all teaching involves authority).
But in addition Jesus had spoken throughout His ministry as one with
authority (Lk. 4:32). He had shown
authority over unclean spirits (Lk. 4:36) and claimed authority to forgive sins
(Lk. 5:24).
This is a fundamental
question, but clearly the priests and elders are not asking because they want
to know; they are picking a fight. The
teaching authority of the elders was always bound up in some rabbi whom they
quoted. They were afraid to speak on
their own. But Jesus taught without
quoting others. He spoke as The Prophet: for God and from God.
In Jesus’ answer to
the leaders He asks them about their view of John the Baptist’s authority. The reason He did this was to expose hearts;
but He also refers to John because he was the same as Jesus: he spoke as a
prophet, a mouthpiece for God. The
prophet said, Thus says the Lord. Jesus, being the Lord, simply said, Verily, verily I say unto you!
Underneath this
exchange is a principle: if you reject God’s word through the prophet then you
won’t be given any more of His word. If
they did not heed John’s preaching then they wouldn’t heed Jesus’; their
authority was the same. This is the
point of the parable of the two sons. The question is not what you say you will do
or even what you intend to do. The
question is obedience!
What Jesus said to
these leaders was hard-hitting but very true.
The tax collectors and harlots, the very people they considered to be
the vilest of sinners, would enter the kingdom of God before them. And all this is indicated by an exchange
initiated by the chief priests and elders.
Jesus is revealing
hearts today through His words 2000 years ago.
Are you prone to ask questions of Jesus?
Do you question His authority over you?
Perhaps your heart was revealed today, that your questions are actually
a means by which you put Him off or even reject Him. Why not end your resistance today and bow the
knee to the King, the Lord Jesus Christ?!
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