As we begin preaching through the final chapters of Luke’s Gospel this Sunday, one of the central questions has to do with authority. After Jesus makes a scene in the temple, driving out those who were selling animals for sacrifice for making God’s house “a den of robbers,” the religious leaders confront Jesus, essentially asking, “Who do you think you are to do and say these things?
“Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority (Luke 20:2).”
When it comes to our understanding of who Jesus is, this is a question we all need to reckon with because at our core, we all have mixed feelings about authority. On one hand, our sin nature leads us to resist authority. We don’t like being told what to do, especially when that involves being corrected or warned or held accountable.
On the other hand, there’s also something deep within us that wants a real authority who is true, good, and strong. We want someone who can answer our deepest questions, solve our biggest problems, cure our greatest illnesses, protect us from our greatest enemies. Jesus has this authority and He is the type of authority figure we should find it a delight to submit ourselves to.
But Luke shows us that Jesus’ exercise of authority was polarizing. It made the religious leaders seek “to destroy him” while the crowds were “hanging on His words” (Luke 19:47-48). Which end of that continuum are you and I closer to? Because Jesus is, in fact, the cornerstone of the new temple God is building and what we choose to do with the cornerstone will make all the difference. We can fall on him and his mercy, or in the end, he will fall on us with his righteous judgment. Which will it be?
This Sunday Erik Thoennes will be preaching Luke 19:45-20:18 and Kenny Clark will be leading our sung worship. Would you pray for each as they prepare? And ask the Lord to give us knees that bow more and more willingly and gladly to the name and authority of Jesus.
See you Sunday, Grace. Come hungry!
SONG OF THE WEEK
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! by Grace Kids Adventure Week
Get into the spirit of Adventure Week with our theme song from Colossians 1:13-14!