After Christ cleansed the temple by driving out the money changers and merchants, he was challenged by the chief priests, scribes, and elders on the source of his authority. They were threatened by Jesus, and wanted to know who had given him authority to act in the way that He had. Jesus counters with a question of His own. By His question about the ministry of John the Baptist, He exposes the leaders’ hypocrisy and lack of true spiritual discernment. Christ is God and in Him rests all authority and power. This authority demands a response from each of us. Will you surrender to Christ’s authority over you?

I. Authority Challenged
II. Wisdom Displayed
III. Authority Established

Questions for consideration: (1) Why was the issue of authority so important to the Chief Priests, Scribes, and Elders? From where did they derive their authority? (2) Why did Jesus point to the ministry of John the Baptist in his question to the religious leaders? How does the answer to the question of John's ministry relate to Jesus and His ministry? (3) Does Christ have authority on earth today? Does He have authority in your life? How will that be evident this coming week?