11:27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 11:28 And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?" 11:29 But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 11:30 "The baptism of John-was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me." 11:31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 11:32 "But if we say, 'From men' "-they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 11:33 So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." (Mark 11:27-33)

We are studying the story of Jesus after He entered Jerusalem. Jeus was walking on His way that God the Father gave him. Jesus continue to teach the Word of God as usual, or more than as usual. He invited Israel to come back to God. He spent His last times in order that Israel may repent to God. The Gospel of Mark has only sixteen chapters, but over one third of the book were spent to describe the last week of Jesus. The happenings and teachings in the week were very important. I hope that we will carefully study this part, and tast it, digest it and have the Word of God dwell in our heart.

Let's start today's study from verse twenty-seven. This verse says, "Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him." This verse describe Jesus who was walking in the temple. There were many people coming for prayer and worship every time. It was the passorver season. A lot of pilgrimages came to the temple not only from all of Israel but also from all of the world. The temple was very crowded. But, does this verse describe Jesus as one the worshippers? His disciples might walked around there looking about gorgious temple and curious sights, because most of them were from Galilee. But I can imagine that Jesus Himself was walking with dignity and authority. What do you imagine?

He had dignity and authority. Jesus drove out those who bought and sold in the temple, and He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple the day before. He might be walking aroud to check that every thing in order in the temple this day. He was not walking as one of the pilgrimages or worshippers. He was walking as the Lord of the temple, as the One who was worshipped by the people. But, the priests who served the temple and the pilgrimages from all over the land could not recognize Him as the Lord of the temple. For them, the liturgies of the temple were more important than the Lord whom we worship to. Therefore the cleaning of the temple meant for them as the challenge to the temple and their religious orders. And they exclude Jesus, the Lord of our worship for keeping their own worship style.

We, today's Christians, also have to be careful not to make the same sins. In the Book of Revelation Chapter two, verse one, we read, "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands." As you know "the seven golden lampstands" means the seven churches and the whole church as a body of Christ spreading all over the world. "The One who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands" is Christ. He is walking in His church and check whether His church has accepted Him as the Lord or the Head, and the church really adore Him as the Lord in the worship service. It is regorious and terrifying that Christ is walking around the church. However, it means that He knows us well. Though we are little, but have sincerlly accepted Him as the Lord, He also pronounces that we are His people. What a wonderful encouragement it is! Let us look up the Lord who is in us and walking in His church. When we put our eyes to the Lord, we can become His church, God's spiritual temple where Chrisit is the Lord.

When Jesus was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders said to Jesus, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?" We have already noticed the combination of the chief priests and the scribes. But we see "the elders" here. The chief priests and the scribes were the religious authorities, and the elders were the civil authorities. The elders joined the plot of Jesus murder and the plan became perfect.

They are so fool to ask Jesus about His authority. Jeus has already shown His authority by cleaning leprosy, healing sicknesses, casting demons out, and performing miracles. There are only two ansewers to the question, "Who gave you this authority?" They are "from God" or "from human." It was very obvious that His authority came from God. Their question was a trap to Jesus. It was not true that they could not understand the authority of Jesus because Jesus never showed His authority clearly. He showed it clearly. However, His authority was not acceptable for the chief priests, scribes, and elders. The authority of Jesus and God's authority threatened their human authorities. They became rebellious against God's authority to keep their authorities.

However, true believers will finally accept God's authority even though they will be temporally against the authority. When they were touched by the authority, they will be overwhellmed and struggled. But they will come to God with repentace and humble hearts. We are thankfull to the Lord who made us enough humble to surrender ourselves to God.

Jesus gave them back a question saying, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John-was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me." This counter question was a popular method for discussing a topic and seeking the truth among the Jewish teachers. What was the answer of the cheif preists, the scribes, and the elders? They were reasoning among themselves. "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say, 'Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'..." They will loose the support from the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet. They were not seeking the answer. They were looking for the execuse. And they said, "We do not know." This was the typical execuse used by some politicians. They always give an evasive answer saying, "I have forgotten." If someone has a "bitter root" in his heart, he cannot listen and understand what the other people speak as they do. He initerpres them as he likes. If he was pointed his faults, he changes the subject saying, "I've forgotten what I said." Have you ever be troubled by such a person?

It is awful for us to listen to human words only thinking execuse or reasons of justifying ourselves. It is more awful that we have the same attitude to the Word of God. Such person never become alive, be comforted, be encouraged, be nutured, and led by the Word of God. Though you are a Christian who were saved, your spiritual growth will stop and you will stay as a carnal Christian. If you continue to neglect His authority, not to accept the authority of His Word, and not to answer His serious questions, Jesus will close His mouth just like He did to the leaders of Israel saying, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

However, if we seek the answer saying, "Lord, I don't know the answer. Teach me. Let me know. Give me insight," He will answer you. He is gracious. If we become humble enough to listen His Word, our soul will be revitalize and we will be strengthen by the authority of the Lord and walk around His temple; live in His blessed presence.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We appreciate you for showing the authority of Jesus Christ and teach us about it this morning. Lord, we live in the generation that deny any kind of authorities. People think that they can get more freedom by denying authorities. However, our world is in trouble becase of deniying Your authority. The trend against Your authority came to the church where Jesus Christ, Your Son, is the Lord and Head. Teach us to stay under Your authority. Your authority never threatens us, but nutures us. Your authority never beats us down, but builds us up. Lead us and rest us under Your authority. Through Your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.