The Chief Priests And Scribes Asked Jesus, "By What Authority Doest Thou These Things?" - Part 1934

And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as Jesus taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon Him with the elders, and spake unto Him, saying, "Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is He that gave Thee this authority?"

And Jesus answered and said unto them, "I will also ask you one thing; and answer Me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?" And they reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we shall say, "From heaven," He will say, "Why then believed ye him not?" But and if we say, "of men" -- all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet." And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things."

This example in and of itself poses its own dilemma for those who do not seek the Lord Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 6:4) Rather than believe that Jesus is the Lord from heaven, these wanted to know the authority wherein Jesus did these things. Remember, Jesus healed the sick. Jesus healed the broken-hearted. Jesus restored those souls to abundant life who were wallowing in the miry clay. And Jesus helped those who no longer had the strength to help themselves. 

But Jesus did not stop there. The one point that becomes evident in this dialogue is that the chief priests along with the scribes and elders did not recognize Jesus for who He really was. With all their supposed knowledge of the Old Testament scriptures (by virtue of their men esteemed positions in the temple) these did not recognize that Jesus was the Lord's Christ. That Jesus was the promised Messiah, of which the prophets from afore had spoken. The second Adam, heavenly -- the Lord of glory. Most certainly, to them, Jesus did not represent the dayspring from on high which was at that time visiting His people.

Instead, these wanted to know the source of His authority wherein He did these mighty signs and wonders, and miracles. Because again, to be clear, these temple people did not want to believe that Jesus was the King of kings and Lord of lords, or that He -- Jesus -- could be the sole authority here on earth, as He is in heaven. This opinion, even when Jesus told the people the Kingdom of God is nigh. Or that, these should have known -- Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!

And just like these stood on the bank when John was baptizing the people unto repentance, these were not willing to surrender their hearts to the Lamb of God. We see this same mentality in the world today. Like many modern day churches, another mediator between God and man is established, rather than the One and Only Lord God and Saviour who gave Himself so that we might have abundant life in Him. The same God who loved us as His beloved from the very beginning, knowing still that His own would not receive Him when He walked this earth. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

So these (who should have known better) desired to find out who gave Jesus this authority. Still, not all was lost because there were those who (upon meeting Jesus) did drop all of their worldly longings to follow Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) And for them, there was no turning back.

Perhaps, this is why Jesus spoke to the people this parable:

"A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out. 

Then said the lord of the vineyard, "What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him." But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, "This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours." So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, "God forbid." And he beheld them, and said, "What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on Him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that He had spoken this parable against them. And they watched Him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor. 

And they asked Him, saying, "Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Cæsar, or no?" But He perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, "Why tempt ye Me? Shew Me a penny, whose image and superscription hath it?" They answered and said, "Cæsar’s."

And Jesus said unto them, "Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s." And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at His answer, and held their peace." (Luke 20:1-26)

It is no wonder that later,  in the audience of all the people Jesus said unto His disciples, "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation." (Luke 20:45-47)

Don't be misled by the wolves in sheep's clothing who still ask "by what authority did Jesus do these things?" Rather, search the scriptures for yourself and understand that indeed, as the scribes though, Jesus was speaking of Himself as the Lord from heaven. The Lord who still owns the vineyard that He Himself created in the very beginning. Yes, meditate upon these things. 

Stand in the offering plate.