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

Song of Praise - Because He Lives

Doubt and fear are normal human emotions that I have felt in the last few years, months, and weeks. I know that emotions come and go, but God's truth stands forever. I also know that no matter what, life is worth living because Jesus lives.

This is a song that has been on my heart for a few weeks, but I was reminded of why this morning that no matter how hard life may be, life is worth living because Christ lives, and loves me.

When you hear this song, what does it say to you?

7 Verses to Remind You of God's Faithfulness.

Confession time. Sometimes I doubt that God is good, and faithful. I just want to give up. I have my little tantrum telling God what He's supposed to be doing in my life.
For those times I have compiled a list of 7 Bible verses that I hope will remind me as well as you that God is good and faithful. We can trust that he will keep his promises to us. Why because he has kept his promises to others and he never changes. Here are a few reminders of God's faithfulness.

1.

9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps. 11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. – Genesis 32:9-11

God was faithful to Jacob, and Jacob reminded God of his faithfulness to help him grow. God will be faithful to you and he will help you to grow in him. He won't leave you to fend for yourself which is what Jacob was praying here.

2.

8 But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments – Deuteronomy 7:8-9

 God doesn't leave us as slaves, no he sent Jesus to set us free. Not only does he set us free but also keeps his promises to never leave us.

3.

3 I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! 4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. – Deuteronomy 32:3-4

God does nothing wrong, he is just and perfect. Yet is also loving and compassionate to our needs. Praise God that he is just but he loves and forgives us despite our failures.

4. 

6 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, 27 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd. – 2 Samuel 22:26-27

 God is faithful to those who are faithful. He pours out his love, forgiveness and grace on them. Praise God for this, he is pure and blameless and he makes this known.



  5.

32 “Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. 33 In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly. – Nehemiah 9:32-33

Yet another reminder that God keeps his promises. He doesn't promise an easy life but he promises that he will keep you in his love.

6.

4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. – Psalm 33:4-5

God's word is true and he is faithful. He lavishes us in his unfailing love. He does what he can to show us this love and he stays by our side even when we try to run away.

  7.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. –Psalms 57:9-11

God's love is pure, amazing and faithful. His faithfulness reaches the skies, it will never end. Rejoice in that no matter what you do, or how far you run he will always be faithful and love you.


If God is the same today, tomorrow and forever we can trust that He will be  faithful to his followers.  I hope that these verses remind you of God's faithfulness when you doubt.


Dear Lord, When I doubt your faithfulness, please remind me that you have always been faithful. Help others who doubt to remember your love and faithfulness. How you are faithful in your own timing. In Jesus Name, Amen

Help me of my unbelief...

During adult Sunday School we were learning about the time when a man brought his demon possessed son to the disciples. They tried to rebuke the demon but they couldn't. Such a sad thing for this father who so bad wanted to see his son healed. The disciples knew the one who could heal the son. So they took the father and son to Jesus, the ultimate healer. This should have given the father confidence, it didn't. He asked Jesus to help his unbelief.

Peace and joy by

Monica Arellano-Ongpin

 

Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit

 ²² “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
²³ “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” ^{- Mark 9:22-24 (read the entire story from Mark 9:14-29)}

A few things we should remember before we judge this man's unbelief. Remember earlier in the chapter when a miracle happened Jesus told those around not to tell anyone. So the father had not heard of many, if any miracles. This is the reason we should not neglect meeting together with other believers. When we meet together we can rejoice with then about how God is working in others lives as well ourselves. Then when doubt comes, we have a reminder of those miracles.

 

The band Finding Favour has a new sing "Say Amen" that remind me of this. On a difficult day when nothing was going right I heard that song and felt a desire for community, for a chance to hear praise for what God is doing.

 

 

 

Next, he had just put faith in those who said they could, the followers of this man, and they couldn't. So while he still believed I can see how there would be doubt in his heart. He could see the doubt and he asked Jesus to help his doubt.

 

We can learn something from this man. He didn't try to hide his doubt, but came to Jesus and asked for a healing of his doubt. This is something I am working on. 

Dear Lord help my doubt.

My sister once said she prayed God would reveal truth to her. That comes by spending time in the word of God, the Bible. It comes from praying and meditating on these things. Faith is the same way. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. It may be the testimonies of others, songs, or reading the Bible either way spending time with God had a way of helping our doubt.

 

Dear Lord,

You know that I allow fear and doubt in. Please help my doubt and erase my fears.

In Jesus Name,
Amen