Mark 11:27-33

Matthew 21:23-27

Luke 20:1-8

The powers-that-be were beside themselves. Jesus had really made a mess of things at the Temple. The money-changers were pretty sure the folks who helped gather their scattered coins gathered a few for themselves, and the “liberated” doves were probably halfway to Egypt. “Who does this guy think he is?”

So they asked him.

“Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?” (Luke 20:1). It’s a good question.

I’m reminded of that moment when Jesus wrapped up his Sermon on the Mount. The crowds seemed reluctant even to move. We’re told they were “astounded” because “he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29). There it is again, authority. What was this authority Jesus had?

Well, how would YOU answer that question. What kind of authority does he have in your life? Is it your belief that grants him authority, or do you find in his words and actions an authority that leads to belief, even obedience? Or are you even comfortable saying he HAS authority. Maybe you’re still deciding whether to grant him any say-so at all.

The question the leaders asked Jesus was a good one, but far from sincere. Whatever answer he gave could be used against him. Clever. But there was no trapping Jesus. He answered with a question of his own, a question they couldn’t answer without getting THEMSELVES into trouble. Let’s call it a stalemate and head home.

But no. Jesus instead followed with a parable about a vineyard:

After preparing the ground and planting the grapevines, the owner left the vineyard in the hands of the tenants to tend. You can read the story for yourself (it follows right after the passages listed above), but, cutting to the chase, when the son of the owner came to the vineyard, the tenants refused to recognize his authority and killed him, claiming the vineyard as their own.

The devout religious leaders took that parable personally.

It all gets a little slippery, this question of authority and who has it and who wants it and who is willing to hand it over to someone else. When it comes to Jesus, you and I have to answer for ourselves, but recognizing his unique authority means following him, listening to him, even living as he lived. That’s a challenging notion, especially this week.

- Rev. Westmoreland