The Authority Of Jesus Luke 20

Luke 20….The Authority Of Jesus

We have seen the triumphant entry of our Lord in presenting Himself as the king of kings.

The Jews were looking for a political leader to save them from the Roman Empire but, were getting the Saviour of world.

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We’ve seen Jesus as He cleaned the temple of money changers and thieves as He called them.

This was Passover week the streets were filled with people and the temple was crowed....many were trying to make all the money they could while the Passover was going on.

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Tonight we are going to look at Jesus authority…..who gave it to Him?….but, most importantly ..what does our Lords authority mean to you and I?

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ILL:….I heard a story about a government official with the Department of Water Resources down in the state of Texas.

Seems the official made a surprise visit with an old rancher.

He tells the rancher, "I need to inspect your ranch for your water allocation."

The old rancher says, "Okay, but don’t go in that field over there."

********The government official gets out his ID card and says:

"Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me.

You see this card? This card means I am allowed to go WHEREVER I WISH on any agricultural land in the state of Texas No questions asked or answered.

Have I made myself clear?......... Do you understand?"

The old rancher nods politely and goes about his chores.

****Little later, the old rancher hears loud deathly screams and sees the Government Official running for his life because …close behind him was the rancher’s 1500 lb prize bull and the bull was gaining with every step.

The Official was terrified, so the old rancher immediately throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs,

*****"Your card! Show him your card!"*******Thanks to Pastor Ed Vasicek for posting Illustration

Human authority is abused lots of time…but, God should never have to prove His authority.

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Turn your Bibles to Luke chapter 20 and lets read a few verses starting in verse 1

1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

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Remember it was Passover week the temple and the streets were full and Jesus had just caused a great disturbance the day before by cleaning out the temple by turning over tables and calling the money changers and those who bought and sold inside the temple “a den of thieves.”

The religious leaders had been plotting against Jesus and arresting Him before this but, being Passover week and drawing crowds like He was….. they really wanted Him out…done away with and so they confronted Jesus and tried to corner Him.

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These were no ordinary religious leaders… chief priests, scribes and the elders.

Some of those no doubt was part of the Sanhedrin….a council like our Supreme Court…..great authority and prestige.

So, they had no problem getting through the crowded temple and asking Jesus 2 questions. by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

Our Lord comes to the defense quickly …not with an answer but, with a question.

*******************Jesus said…Let me ask you one thing

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

They couldn’t answer that without condemning themselves….

They went into a huddle and tried to decide on some kind of answer.

So, after reasoning the Bible says.….they came up with a highly educated answer…..(we don’t know…..they played it smart by being dumb.

So, Jesus says in verse 8 Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

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They just completely rejected Jesus as being the Messiah and the authority that He claimed to have.

But they also rejected John the Baptist because; he was the forerunner for Jesus….

John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the truth and when you present the truth ….there is nothing else to introduce except a theory, lie or a manmade religion.