Authority (Mark 11:27-33)

As Jesus was walking into the temple complex He was accosted by the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. They stood before Him with great pomp and ceremony and demanded that Jesus explain to them by whose authority He did what He did. Their vision was so darkened by their pride that they were unable to truly see the One to whom they spoke. The only thing they could see was a bold but humble man who had the power to do miraculous things. They had been plotting to destroy Him ever since He had appeared on the scene and challenged their authority.

They were unable to see that standing before them was the image of the invisible God cloaked in human flesh. They were challenging the authority of the One of whom it is said, “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16,17). If they had had spiritual sight they would have realized that the One to whom they were speaking had supremacy in everything. But all they saw was a man, a man they wanted to destroy.

How did Jesus respond to their challenge? He asked them a question. “Was John’s baptism from heaven or from men?” What was John’s baptism? It was a baptism of repentance. The Old Testament closed with God’s promise of a prophet who would bring a message of repentance that would prepare the way for the Messiah. But in order to repent, you must first acknowledge your sin. When John had come and boldly confronted these spiritual leaders with their need to acknowledge their sin and to humble themselves by being baptized, they stiffened their necks, turned their backs, and walked away.

Jesus spoke with great authority. But it was more than just words, He showed His authority when He fulfilled the words of Isaiah concerning the Messiah. “Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then the tongue of the mute will sing for joy” (Isaiah 35:5,6). Jesus’ authority had been on clear display when, after Lazarus had been in his grave for three days, He called him to come forth from his tomb! The religious leaders were spiritually blind.

John had come after 400 years of silence to prepare the way for the Messiah just as Malachi had foretold. The preparation for the Messiah was to acknowledge your sin, to repent and be baptized. The religious leaders were blinded by their pride, they were blinded by their sin; therefore, they could not see the Messiah when He was standing in front of them. The first step to removing spiritual blindness is to be able to see your own sin and your need for a Savior. What was true then is true now.

However, for those who have repented of their sins and have had their spiritual blindness removed, Jesus makes this proclamation, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18).