Saturday, September 26, 2026
Mark 11:27-33
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
It was a friendly game of Pool Baseball. Was there splashing? Yes, it is a pool. Were there some shouts of glee? Yes, kids are known to be gleeful?
Was it apparently the most disruptive thing that has ever happened in the history of my in-laws' HOA?
Most definitely.
In came the HOA police. First reminding everyone there would be no splashing or shouting and then asking to see some credentials that the kids had the right to be in the pool.
We didn’t have a card or anything, so we simply presented my mother-in-law.
Crisis averted.
The religious leaders had a big problem with Jesus disrupting the status quo in the temple courts. Jesus taught without having the proper lineage or educational background. He taught things that ran counter to the accepted teaching of the day. He undercut the power and control the leaders enjoyed that helped them remain at the top of the heap of society.
So, of course, they wanted to trap Jesus anyway they could and Jesus’ teaching in the temple courts was a great moment to do it. SO, they asked Jesus to explain himself. Why was he teaching what he was teaching? By whose authority was he teaching?
HOA’s aside, there will be plenty of times as you practice your faith in ways that challenge established systems that you will be asked for your credentials. Women were challenged during the suffrage movement and people of color were challenged during the civil rights movement.
Of course, we need to be mindful of the times when we are being rowdy for the sake of being rowdy, but in those moments when we are truly following the Holy Spirit’s leading to challenge systems, we have an opportunity to be like Jesus. To be bold with our credentials as baptized children of God seeking after a life-giving society for all of God’s children. No higher authority can be attained.
What systems are you being invited to challenge today?
– Pr. Jason
Holy Spirit, you have filled me with passion for creating a world where all people are loved and known. Give me the courage to press on, even when the road is difficult and filled with people who act as roadblocks. Amen.
