Matthew 21:23–27 (ESV)
The Authority of Jesus Challenged
23 And
when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered
them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And
they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd,
for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Today’s reading is based on the important question of “Who is Jesus?” They are questioning Jesus’s authority, but Jesus lays down a trap. His trap is a double edged
sword. “The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” Their answer reveals whether he is the Son of God or not. They choose not to answer the question, so Jesus does not answer their question.
I pray: O Lord, I know where your authority comes from… it comes from God… it comes from heaven. Help me to never question who you are…
you are my Lord and Savior. Amen.