27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
What I sense God is saying is there is no middle ground when it comes to Jesus as my authority. Even if I choose to say, “I don’t know for sure,” I am still making a choice to limit Jesus’ authority in my life even If I plead ignorance. We do so because of fear.
In this New Year, I specifically sense God asking me to trust Him in doing these things, such as healing, prophetic words, and challenging my own leaders to step into the authority God has given them to do these things as well. I will know when I actually am praying for people to be healed and actually asking my leaders to do the same. Amen
Sean Blomquist, Pastor
Shelter Covenant Church – Concord
What stood out to me was 27 “They arrived again in Jerusalem…”
Jesus knew who’d be there and what He was headed toward, and He did not try to avoid the situation. He was not intimidated by “the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders [who] came to him;” and He was committed to face His destiny head on.
When questioned about His authority, He did not begin to second guess Himself or His calling. He knew who He was, whose He was, and what He was called to do.
What God is asking me is “Do you trust Me?”
Today I hear the challenge to stand in the authority given to me by the Father; to head into what I know He has called me to do and not be intimidated by the questions, the doubts, the confrontations, or the fear of others. Today I choose to trust who I am in Him, who He is, what He has called me to do, and to stay the course and fulfill my destiny–“To trust in the Lord with all [my] heart, and lean not on [my] own understanding; In all [my] ways [to] acknowledge Him, and He will direct [my] path.”
I hear don’t be lukewarm, don’t be like a people pleasing, self protecting, uncommitted pharisee when it comes to hearing God’s voice and acknowledging the authority of God in my life. The consequence it less hearing, less revelation, less explanation, less authority and power.
With the good news of April’s miraculous total remission, I add one more level of acknowledgement of God’s authority and power in my life. Jesus be Lord – you are worthy – you are the authorized One.
I hear “All In or nothing”. Strip away everything that gets in the way and live moment by moment with the father
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
I hear trust in Me, not in others. Look to Me, not to the world. I am challenged today to live out my true identity in Christ. Not to struggle in my own power to be who I think I should be… or how I can please the most people, but be the person God created me to be. To walk under His rule and reign and to put aside my fears. To talk and walk with God transparently throughout the day and not be like the teachers of the law who worried more about the cares and concerns of the world than they did about who Jesus really is and how that changes who we are.