30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 20 1-8 THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS 11 Luke 20 7-8 His authority that reaches the stone-hearted
📖 Luke 20:1-8
15Feb2021 - *His authority that reaches the stone-hearted* - _Luke 20:1-8_ - THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS 11 – Bible reading: _Matthew 21:27-32_
_Luke 20:7-8 So they answered that they did not know where it was from. (8) And Jesus said to them, "*Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things*."_
The religious leaders thought they were being very smart and had given a wise answer. They had chosen to be in a state of false hood, deceiving themselves.
Jesus was sad for them. His response was simple and in truth. His answer came from the fact that he knew their heart. His answer communicated to the leaders that He knew that they were being dishonest and that they were fully aware of who He was and who John was. Since they knew who He was, He did not have to answer their question to Him regarding His authority.
_Job 5:13 He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them._
As God of all authority, He showed them His authority by presenting their hardness of heart to them and giving them yet another opportunity to repent, by telling them a parable, which is recorded by Matthew.
_Matthew 21:27 So they answered Jesus and said, "We do not know." And He said to them, "*Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things*._
_Matthew 21:28-32 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' (29) He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. (30) Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. (31) Which of the two did the will of his father?" *They said to Him, "The first*." …_
The first son in the parable represented the tax collectors and harlots. They knew God’s word for them but they had chosen to rebel and go their own way. Nevertheless, when they were convicted of God, they repented and returned to the habitat of God.
The second son in the parable represented the religious leaders. They spoke words of serving God but did not believe Him. They were convinced that they were good by themselves and that they had no need to submit to the authority of God over them.
The Lord asked the religious leaders, which of the two sons did the will of the Father. The leaders, from their own mouth, condemned themselves. _*They said to Him, "The first*."_
The Lord processed the parable for these leaders. _(31)…Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. (32) For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and *you did not believe him*; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, *you did not afterward relent and believe him*._
Jesus found them guilty of not believing in John and therefore not believing in Him. The Lord, further reached out to them saying, _“but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.”_
The authority of Christ is not about proving Himself but reaching out to lost and defiant mankind and presenting them with the truth and giving them opportunities to repent and return to Him.
That friends is the concluding lesson from this study. The authority that we have in Jesus, calls us not to worry about defending ourselves or proving our authority but to remain rested in His authority and out of that authority continue to reach out to those who are rejecting Jesus.
*Thought to ponder*
Are you eager to live your life out of the authority of Jesus? If this is not your passionate desire … what is?