Jesus’ Authority Questioned

JANUARY 3                                                                          

Scripture Reading
Read Mark 11:27-33 and reflect on the passage.

Every few years you hear a story about someone who feels the U.S. Government has no authority to collect personal income taxes.  April 15 comes and goes and in an act of defiance, no tax check is sent. How do you think this turns out?  As much as someone might not like it, believes it is bogus, wishes it weren’t so, there is an entity called the IRS that will settle the matter.

There exists in human nature a tendency to vilify authority.  We don’t want anyone telling us what we can and cannot do.  To undercut authority, we will rail against it attempting to declare it in some way illegitimate.  But, what if most of the problem resided with us?  What if in fact, the authority is completely legitimate? 

In our scripture reading, the chief priests, scribes and elders haughtily approached Jesus. Was it a real question they asked or was it more, "Just who do you think You are?"  It did not matter what they thought, felt or believed, they were speaking to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  To avoid His authority they even killed him.  How do you think this turned out for them?

QuestionsWhat do you think was Adam and Eve’s largest character flaw and how does it relate to authority?Are there any areas of your life where you are hesitant to acknowledge God’s authority?

Prayer

Lord, search, test, and show me anything in my life that refuses to acknowledge Your authority as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

                                                                                                                                    Lee Miller