Week 11 | Day 4 | Mark 11:27-33
Check out all the previous readings here.
Pray
Pause and breathe for a minute. Then ask God to open your eyes and your ears to his Word.
Bible Reading (read these verses three times slowly)
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. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
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’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Reflection & Questions
Jesus has been doing radical things this week and the religious leaders are ticked. “By what authority are you doing these things?”, they asked.
Jesus answers their question with a question. It might seem He is trying to avoid the question, but actually He is getting behind their question. If they acknowledged who John was, Jesus could point to what John had said – that He was far greater than John. However, if the religious leaders aren’t willing to acknowledge who John is, how could they understand or accept who Jesus is? The religious leaders dodge Jesus’ question and so Jesus doesn’t answer theirs.
There’s an important principle here: As we believe and live out what Jesus has revealed to us, He will reveal more. And if we deny, or harden our hearts against Him, we won’t be given more.
- Are there things Jesus has revealed to you, that you have not acted upon? Why? Talk to God about that today.
Pray
Use Psalm 143:10 in your prayer today: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.”
Worship Song
You could use this song in worship of Jesus today.
Bible Reading
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. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?””
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!””
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’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)”
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.””
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Reflection and Questions
Jesus has been doing some very radical things – including clearing the temple courts – and the religious leaders are pretty mad. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked.”
Jesus answers their question with a question. It might seem He is trying to avoid answering, but actually He is proving to them why they even asked their question. If they knew who John was, Jesus could point to what John had said – that Jesus was far greater. However, if the religious leaders aren’t willing to say that they know who John is, how could they understand or accept who Jesus is? The religious leaders avoid answering Jesus’ question and so Jesus doesn’t answer theirs. Seems pretty fair to me! ”
There’s an important thing to remember here. As we believe and live out what Jesus has told us, He will show us more. And if we deny, or not believe, in Him, we won’t be given more. So, do you trust Jesus? Because when you do, you’ll start to learn even more about Him!
- Do you trust Jesus? How can you trust Him even more than you already do?
Prayer
Use Psalm 143:10 in your prayer today: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;”
Bible Reading
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. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?””
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!””
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’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)”
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.””
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Devo Focus
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” Vs. 29
Devo
You gotta love when Jesus throws a zinger to the religious leaders!
Jesus has been doing some very radical things – including clearing the temple courts – and the religious leaders are ticked. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked.
Jesus answers their question with a question. It might seem He is trying to avoid answering, but actually He is getting behind their question. If they acknowledged who John was, Jesus could point to what John had said – that Jesus was far greater. However, if the religious leaders aren’t willing to acknowledge who John is, how could they understand or accept who Jesus is? The religious leaders dodge Jesus’ question and so Jesus doesn’t answer theirs.
There’s an important principle. As we believe and live out what Jesus has revealed to us, He will reveal more. And if we deny, or harden our hearts against Him, we won’t be given more.
- Are there things Jesus has revealed to you, that you have not acted upon? Why? Talk to God about that today
Prayer
Use Psalm 143:10 in your prayer today: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;”
