30th Mar 26 | 13:54
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Luke 20 1-8 THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS 03 Luke 20 1-2 Jesus confronted on His authority
📖 Luke 20:1-8
- 07Feb2021 - *Jesus confronted on His authority* - _Luke 20:1-8_ - THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS 3 – Bible reading: _John 8:56-58_
It was a highly charged atmosphere in which Jesus taught. The leaders of the people had decided to destroy Him but Jesus did not back down nor was He nervous as to how things would turn out. He took a difficult situation by the scruff of the neck and converted it into an opportunity to bring the message of God to the people.
_Luke 20:1-2 Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, *confronted Him* (2) and spoke to Him, saying, "Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?"_
Let’s take a step back and consider the hostility of these leaders to Jesus. Let us conduct a reality check. They had the audacity to question Jesus of His authority.
Who were they speaking with? They were speaking with the Creator, the God of heaven and earth. The God, who has all authority
_Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (16) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (17) And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist._
They ought to have fallen face down before Him in worship but they were arrogant to confront the God of all the universe.
Isn’t that the response of the world? _Romans 1:21-22 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Professing to be wise, they became fools,_
The plan of these leaders was to push Jesus into the defensive mode and get Him to justify why He did and taught with authority. Observe the Lord’s response. The Lord never defended Himself.
Jesus did not have the need to defend His authority. He knew His power, His identity, His authority and He was secure.
_John 13:3-5 Jesus, knowing that the *Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God*, (4) rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. (5) After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
Man is limited in his power but man, who is finite, has the conceit to confront the infinite God.
Yet, God, out of His great love for man, reaches out to man despite all of man’s smugness. The Lord took much pain to persuade and explain to his haughty audience as to who He was. _John 3:35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand._
_John 8:19 Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also."_
_John 8:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me._
Finally, He declared to them He is the “I am” the God of eternal existence. The eternal God was reaching out to the people but instead of a response of worship, they took up stones to throw at Him.
_John 8:56-59 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." (57) Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" (58) Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (59) Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by._
Just as Jesus operated out of His authority, we too must operate out of the authority base that Jesus has given us.
_Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "*All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore* and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen._
*Thought to ponder*
```The devil's strategy will be to always topple us out of our authority in Jesus.```