Jesus’ Authority

Authority is something you either have or don’t have. When parents, for example, have parental authority, their children realize it and accept it. Parents establish their authority when children are toddlers. When parents don’t have authority, it is evident. Authority doesn’t have to do with the size of the person or the tone of the voice. Corrie Ten Boon and Mother Teresa definitely had authority but were small people, and their voices were not over-powering. Authority is something that comes from the inside, and it is part of the person.

From the time Jesus began his ministry, people noticed that he had authority. Luke says they were amazed at the way he taught because his words were spoken with authority (Luke 4:32). After Jesus finished his Sermon on the Mount, people said that he taught with such authority that they were completely amazed because he was not like their teachers (Matt 7:28-29).

The Jewish leaders constantly challenged Jesus’ authority but with unsuccessful results. They were never able to anticipate Jesus’ answers, and therefore they were always caught off-guard, and this time was no exception. They were convinced that his authority could not go unchallenged. They decided they would confront him in front of the crowds of people and plainly ask him “Who gave the authority to be here and teach as you are doing? (Luke 20:2).

Authority had always been a big deal for the Pharisees and leaders. Some important teacher or Rabbi gave you his authority when you were his student, and that is how you acquired authority. Where in the world did Jesus claim his authority came from? Certainly not from any of them. They hoped that he would be forced to admit where he thought his authority came from. They imagined Jesus looking completely foolish trying to answer their question. Jesus, however, foresaw the trap and instead of answering the question, asked them a question and agreed to answer their question only if they answered his.

Jesus’ question was a simple one, “Tell me, John's baptism — was it from heaven, or from men?" (Luke 20:3-6). Jesus had placed the leaders between a rock and hard spot by bringing up John the Baptist. John was popular and multitudes had followed him. The Jewish leaders dared not say a word against John for fear of the people, and they certainly couldn’t admit that John was legitimate because they had not supported him. They simply had to admit that they didn’t know the answer. Jesus then told them he would likewise not answer their question, and he continued teaching the people in the temple. The leaders once again looked incredibly foolish and Jesus authoritative. What a moment! What a display of Jesus’ authority! It does, however, cause us to reflect on what we think of Jesus’ authority.

Do we accept Jesus’ authority in our lives, or are we like the Pharisees who rejected his authority? We either accept Jesus as Lord (over every area) of our lives, or we reject him; there is simply no middle ground. Our attitude toward Jesus is everything.