3 Lessons from Questioning Jesus' authority

As we are getting closer and closer to Easter many people are so focused on the Easter bunny they are missing out. Others are so focused on rules and regulations they are missing out on the freedom Jesus offers us.

The big question that the rule following Pharisee's had was what gives Jesus the right? Jesus had a unique way of answering this question. Sadly, inquiring minds never found out the answer. Because they were too scared to answer Jesus's questions.

Jesus entered the temple courts and while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 

Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” 

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. - Matthew 21:23-27

What lessons can we learn from the Chief Priests questioning Jesus' authority?


Disown / Deny Christ?
This story brings so many questions. But first it reminds me of another verse.

But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. - Matthew 10:33

The Chief Priests and Elders had spent so much time trying to trap Jesus that all they could see was a trap. They started analyzing Jesus question to them. If we say this then .... and if we say that then... No, I don't believe Jesus was trying to trick them. In reality, Jesus was trying to offer than truth. If they would have denied that John's baptism was from God then he would need to start a different way.

If they believed John's baptism came from God then they were half way there. That wasn't a trick, it was an opportunity to acknowledge Jesus. It was step 1 to believing in him. Because they refused to answer he refused to answer them.

Because of their fear they couldn't be right or wrong. They were lukewarm.


Hot, Cold, or Lukewarm?
In Revelations, we're reminded that God wants hot or cold, but not lukewarm.

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. - Revelations 3:16

Here is a perfect example of lukewarm. They could have denied him, or they could have acknowledged him, but instead they decided to stay out of it. God doesn't want us to fear making a mistake so much that we are lukewarm. No, he wants us to make time to know his will and his love.

But that means testing the spirit.


Testing the Spirit?
Jesus was testing the beliefs and spirits of the Chief Priests. We must also test the beliefs and spirits of those we deal with.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. -1 John 4:1-3

If the Spirit is from God it will acknowledge Jesus and his authority from God. If they aren't well they won't. Another thing we need to look at is their fruit. Is it good or bad? In our world, so many come stating they believe in Jesus, but their fruit isn't good. We must beware of this as well.

Don't be like the Chief Priests and Elders. If you have questions about Jesus, read his words, ask questions. Don't let fear keep you from knowing Jesus.

Dear Lord, As I work on living fearlessly, help me to make decisions. Help me not to fear the wrong decision so much that I stay put. Help me to put my trust in you, testing the spirit of those who wish to lead me. Help me to forever hold on to your hand. In Jesus Name, Amen

I notice we all gravitate toward certain lessons. Which of these 3 lessons are something you are working on?

Unwavering Faith to beat Fear this year!

Once upon a time I had faith. That faith grew and grew, and then I stumbled upon a lie. As I let that lie sit there, I pondered it. The lie, oh it was horrible. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Eventually, that lie led me down rabbit holes that filled up quickly with feelings of inadequacy and depression.

Let me tell you what. I have those moments of pure hope, and faith. It is in those moments I feel like I could move mountains.

This reminds me of a story of something that happened in Jesus last week.

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.  Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” - Matthew 21:18-22

I'm guessing that you are wondering how this story has anything to do with my rabbit holes of fear and lies? 

See those lies led me to feeling completely alone and abandoned, which made my fear even worse. How could anyone bear to be around me, if I couldn't pull myself up by my bootstraps? How could God love me, when I let fear steal my faith? I am making that leap today. 

Okay, I've been jumping from one lily pad to another for the past few months, but today I take a huge hop and jump further, and hopefully onto solid ground. 

This verse reminds me that if I have faith and do not doubt, I can do more than wither a tree, I can move mountains. See those faith filled days, I really could move that mountain. The mountain I am going to move today is fear. 

See the same spirit in that was there when God created the word, was also inside Jesus. Guess what...that same spirit lives inside me. This plus God's wonderful love give me the ability to do great things, but what about unwavering faith. Well that comes in not pondering the lie, not following it down the rabbit hole. 


That lie filled rabbit hole leads to death and destruction. But this kind of faith leads to broken chains, and everlasting life. So today, join me as I say mountain of fear, into the ocean you must go. Oh yeah, fear, no peaking out of the ocean, for it will swallow you. 

Dear Lord, I know you love me. Yes me, I come to you in faith asking you to remove this fear. I know this fear is not of you, so may it produce no more fruit. Help me to have unwavering faith, as lies come. In Jesus Name, Amen

Amazing Grace - Music Monday

Yesterday at church we sang Amazing Grace. Back when I was young, we never pulled our books out to sing this song. Because we each went from person to person greeting each other with hand shakes and hugs. 

Yesterday we got the joy of hearing this 2 times. Once, as we shook hands, sharing in the love of God. Because of His grace we are all brothers and sisters in Jesus. 

The second time was when the most precious young-on. I don't want to call her little, because in statute and age maybe, but in voice not even close. She sings Amazing Grace very slow, making sure you get the words. 

As you praise God for his Amazing Grace the one that offers you freedom. Listen to the words... And praise God that you are not who you once were.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
 
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
 
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Jesus clears the temple, what about your heart?

In a world where money is the route to most ends, it is hard to imagine money and profit are not the main point. The Bible reminds us that it is hard for a rich person to get into heaven. I don't believe it is because they have money and means. No, it is because their temple isn't clean.

Is your temple clean?

This all comes up because as we are getting closer to Easter I decided to look at the Holy Week. You know, the week of Jesus' death and resurrection. What happened that week, what can I learn. When we think of the Holy Week we think of Palm Sunday, and Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

Just like it is hard to imagine money and profit, not being the main point of life. It is hard to imagine much more packed into Holy Week.

But 1 story comes to mind from Matthew 21: 12-17

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them,“‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. 16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” 17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Oh, what we can learn from Jesus cleaning the temple. I was studying this and was using the SOAP method. So in my observation phase, I noticed a few things.

1. Jesus drove out all those who were using the temple courts as a marketplace. Those in it for the profit, are who we immediately think of. But I noticed that he also drove out those who were buying. Why? When you're in business and profit is your goal you will stay until there is no more money to be made. So Jesus had to drive out both to remedy the problem.

Sometimes God allows the innocent to see his wrath because it is the only way to stop the guilty.

2. Jesus told them that God's house, the temple, was a place of prayer. They were making the temple into a marketplace. A place to make money, and sometimes not even giving what they promised. (Making them thieves) The sellers would take advantage of the people. Selling them animals that didn't fit the requirements for a sacrifice. Anything to make that buck. God's house is a place to meet God.

Why do you go to church?

This one is hard for me. (I'm not proud to admit this). Sometimes I don't want to go to church. I know, and I'm a leader in the church. It is hard, especially if I am going for someone or something else. But oh those days, were I am going to meet God and hear lessons from His word. Those days are so much better.

3.Everything boils down to our heart. The sellers were in it for a profit, but God wanted compassion and he wants people who will treat others well. Jesus modeled this. After he cleaned the temple, he spent time healing those who needed him most, the blind and lame. His heart was to help them, not take advantage of them.

How do you treat those around you? Especially those who can do nothing for you? As we head toward Easter, let's stop focusing on ourselves. Let's allow God to clean our temple (our heart). It is by doing this that we can show compassion and forgiveness to those around us. And that will bring Him glory.

Music Monday - If we are the Body

There are layers to being a Christian. It all starts with Jesus.

The physician came not for the healthy but the sick. Have you heard this before? It reminds me that Jesus didn't come for the righteous, but for those who know they need him.

The next layer is us, as we are made right, in the eyes of God. God reached out to us with Jesus, and Jesus reached out not just to us, but to those in need. They knew he was compassionate to their needs so they sought him out.

As a Christian, I too should be compassionate to those around me, and should reach out to them.

This weeks song beckons us to be the hands and feet of Christ.

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way