Heaven’s Authority

Today’s Gospel Text: And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?" 29 Jesus said to them, "I will ask you a question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me." 31 And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 32 But shall we say, 'From men'?" - they were afraid of the people, for all held that John was a real prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." Mark 11:27-33

Reflection: The above question by Jesus was addressed to the chief priests, scribes and elders and how well we would prefer to ignore it in our minds: “not meant for me”!

But nevertheless Jesus' question is an important question which we all need to grapple with: “Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me."

If we do not grapple with this question and seek a message for ourselves then we could remain in our sins and rebelliousness toward God.  The chief priests, scribes and elders met the same fate and failed to come under the authority of Jesus; a authority that saves us.

Though simple to answer, it nevertheless throws up a relevant message, meant to be assimilated by each one of us:

If a message is from heaven then it is to be obeyed and if the message is from a man from heaven then all the more it is to be obeyed.

What Jesus has communicated to us in this question is particularly the significance of his own authority while communicating the authority of John the Baptist, who came speaking as the voice of God, as a prophet of God.

While John was a real prophet, speaking the voice of God or speaking on behalf of God Jesus on the other hand was God himself.

If John’s message was from heaven then he is to be believed and Jesus message all the more because he is from heaven.

Seeing the relevance of Jesus authoritative presence with us the Apostles proclaimed him everywhere and the letter to the Hebrew begins with the following salutation:

“In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”  Heb 1:1-2

Jesus is the ultimate message of God to save the world.

Prayer: The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.  Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of thy judgments, O God. Ps 97: 6 & 8

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

The Inner Thoughts

Today’s Gospel Text: They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise." 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him. 33 And they came to Caper'na-um; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?" 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." 36 And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." Mark 9:30-37

Reflection: If only our thoughts were set open to the public gaze, we would either live in embarrassing shame or go to the other extreme of rebellious justification.  

In the gospel text we have the disciples discussing who was the greatest, when Jesus is giving them a serious talk about his impending death at the hands of men.Such is our sinful nature:

We could be at a funeral and our thoughts could be on apportioning of the property and wealth of the deceased or on self gratification.

We could be next to a sick person and yet more concerned when to feed ourselves rather than wait in that emergency situation.

We could be at a beach or a picnic and yet could be else where in voyeuristic zones. 

We could be on chat at a distance or on a phone and yet in the bedroom. 

Is it the music that is attractive or the singer or is it the story line of the movie that draws us to it or the actors that attract subliminally?.   

Alas the sinful human nature, that is so caught up in itself. Sometimes when these thoughts do get manifest either because of our lack of self control or on account of our sense of morality or because our body language betrays us then we do get into all sorts of justifications.

 

I may shock you further with this statement; Woe to those humans who lead the sincere followers  of Christ to such rebelliousness through condemnation, finger pointing and judgment. Would it not be better on their part, like a good Christian, to instead seek to help them out of their situation.

Jesus, though he knew what they were discussing, did hold on to an attitude of judgment and condemnation but rather, in all patience continued to teach them what is right and good, so as to empower them as future servants of the kingdom. 

He knew that they will soon give up on such self-centered ways and instead be instruments of his grace and mercy to others.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to look at the personal flaws and failings of others but to rather be an instrument of help and strength to them.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us