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

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