Christian Art | Jesus In The Temple
Mark 11: 27-33 – Week 8 Ordinary Time, Saturday (King James Audio Bible Bible | Spoken Word)
27 ¶ And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?
29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?
32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
Just a few days earlier, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders have looked for a way to destroy Jesus, but they have not been able to do so because of the many people who have heard Jesus’ teaching and marvelled at it. Now they come to Jesus to try to trap him again.
The Jews demand to know by what ‘authority’ Jesus heals and teaches. By ‘authority’, the Jews mean a power which is worldly, which is capable of enforcing laws in the world, which is worldly dominion over other people.
Jesus’ authority is different from this; it arises from his kinship with his Father, his oneness in being with his father. On earth, this authority is expressed through Jesus’ humility, through his obeying the will of the Father. Similarly, Jesus does not force himself upon us; he asks us to welcome him into our lives with humility.
Jesus, then, turns these two aspects of the word ‘authority’ into a question for the leaders of the Jews. He asks them to think of John, the one who came before Jesus, and to think of the truth proclaimed by John. They are trapped. They do not wish to acknowledge that John’s authority was of heavenly origin, but they cannot publicly reject John, and this is for political reasons, because of their fear of the people.
Jesus, then, refuses to tell them anything more. Since they are caught within the trap of their own mistake, and of their own clinging to their worldly authority, it is futile for Jesus to explain to them his divine authority. They have refused Jesus’ invitation to ‘answer me’, which he asks of us all.
‘For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.’ Ezekiel 36: 24-27
Concluding Prayer
All-powerful, eternal God,
splendour of true light and never-ending day:
at the return of the morning hour
chase away the night of sin,
and fill our minds with the glory of your coming.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
King James Audio Bible | Endnotes
What Was The Authority Of John The Baptist?
In Mark 11:27-33, the Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus: ‘By what authority doest thou these things? And who gave thee this authority to do these things?’ This question was prompted by Jesus’ cleansing of the temple in Jerusalem and Jesus’ teaching in the temple. Jesus, in turn, asked them whether the baptism of John the Baptist was from heaven or of men. This exchange raises an important question: what was the authority of John the Baptist?
John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and called on people to turn away from their sinful ways and to turn to God. John the Baptist’s authority came from God, and his message was not his own, but one that was given to him by God. John was a messenger of God, and his ministry was part of God’s plan for the salvation of humanity.
The Gospel of Matthew records that John’s message was foretold by the prophet Isaiah, who wrote: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ (Isaiah 40:3) John was seen as the fulfillment of this prophecy, and his ministry was seen as part of the preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
The Gospel of Luke tells us that John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, was a priest who served in the temple. Zechariah received a message from an angel that his wife, Elizabeth, would conceive and give birth to a son who would be named John. The angel said that John would be great in the sight of the Lord and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. John’s birth was a miraculous event, and it was clear that he had been chosen by God for a special purpose.
John the Baptist’s authority was further confirmed by the signs and wonders that accompanied his ministry. People came from all over Judea to hear him preach and to be baptized by him. He was seen as a prophet, and many believed that he might even be the Messiah. However, John was clear that he was not the Messiah but that he had been sent to prepare the way for Him.
The question of John the Baptist’s authority was not just a matter of academic debate. It had significant theological implications. The Pharisees and scribes were the religious leaders of the time, and they had a vested interest in maintaining their authority and influence. They were suspicious of anyone who challenged their interpretation of the law or who claimed to speak for God.
John the Baptist baptized people as a sign of their commitment to turning away from sin and following God. This baptism was a symbol of spiritual cleansing and renewal, and it was seen as a necessary step in preparing for the coming of the Messiah.
John’s authority was demonstrated through his willingness to confront those in positions of power and influence. He did not hesitate to rebuke the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy and their failure to live up to the standards of God’s law. His message of repentance was not just for the common people but for everyone, regardless of their social status or position.
In the centuries since John the Baptist’s ministry, there has been discussion about the nature of John’s authority. Some have seen him as a prophet in the tradition of Elijah, while others have seen him as a new Moses, preparing the way for a new exodus from sin and death. Still others have seen him as a radical preacher, challenging the status quo and calling for a new way of living based on the values of the kingdom of God. The Catholic Church has recognized John as a saint, and his feast day is celebrated on June 24. In Catholic theology, John is seen as a precursor to Christ and as a model of repentance and humility.
In Protestant theology, John’s authority is seen as deriving from his faithfulness to the message that God had given him. Martin Luther, founder of the Protestant Reformation, saw John as a model of the preacher who spoke the truth boldly and without compromise. Luther wrote: ‘John is a master and an example of preachers, for he holds fast to God’s Word and does not let himself be deterred from it by anyone, not even by the devil himself.’
‘Domine, non sum dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum, sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea.’ ‘Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.’ With these words, so many of us will seek to rid ourselves of bad thoughts before receiving communion. We have recollected ourselves in silent time to examine our consciences, we have confessed, we have listened to readings from Scripture – and even in that short time following there has been time to sin anew, as also there is heightened awareness of our sins, and too of inherent sinfulness [ … ]
Psalm 72 is traditionally attributed to King Solomon and is a prayerful expression of the qualities and aspirations for a just and righteous ruler. It can be seen as a guide for leaders and a plea for divine wisdom in governance [ … ]
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ In this passage, Jesus extends an invitation to all who are weary and burdened. Jesus promises rest and relief, urging us to take his yoke and learn from him. Jesus’ gentle and humble heart offers rest for our souls, emphasizing that his yoke is easy and his burden light. This passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ, who offers us rest and peace amid our struggles. Prayer Dear Jesus, In times of uncertainty and despair, I turn to you, the source of all hope. Fill my heart with your hope that transcends understanding. Help me to trust in your promises and to find joy and peace in your presence. May your hope renew my spirit and give me the strength to face each day with confidence and faith. Let your hope shine through me, bringing light to others who are in need. Amen. Personal Reflection What are the situations in your life that seem hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ hope into these areas? Reflect on a time when you experienced renewed hope through your faith in Christ. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Matthew 11:28-30 is a passage that speaks directly to our need for hope and rest. Jesus’ invitation to come to him is extended to all who are weary and burdened, offering a refuge from the struggles of life. This invitation is not just a call to physical rest but a deeper spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. Jesus understands the burdens we carry and offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The imagery of a yoke suggests partnership and guidance; by taking on his yoke, we align ourselves with him, allowing him to share our burdens and guide our steps. This partnership is marked by learning from Jesus, whose gentle and humble heart sets an example for us. The promise of rest for our souls is comforting. In a world where we often feel overwhelmed and stressed, Jesus assures us that he is our source of true rest and peace. His rest is not temporary or superficial but a peace that sustains us through life’s challenges. This promise gives us hope, knowing that no matter what we face, we can find solace in Jesus. Reflecting on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of surrendering our burdens to Jesus. It requires trust and faith to let go of our anxieties and allow him to take control. This surrender is an act of faith, acknowledging that Jesus is capable and willing to carry our burdens. As we learn to trust him more, we experience the peace and rest he promises. The hope we find in Jesus is transformative. It renews our spirits and gives us the strength to persevere. This hope is not dependent on our circumstances but on the nature of Jesus and his promises. It is a hope that empowers us to face each day with confidence, knowing that we are not alone. As we embrace this hope, we are called to share it with others. The hope we receive from Jesus is not meant to be kept to ourselves but to be a light for others who are struggling. Through words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present, we can extend Jesus’ invitation of hope and rest to those around us. By living out this hope, we reflect Christ’s love and bring his light into the world. In practical terms, fostering hope involves daily practices that keep us connected to Jesus. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and being part of a faith community help us to stay grounded in our faith and renew our hope. These practices remind us of Jesus’ promises and keep our focus on him rather than on our circumstances. Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the anchor of my hope. In moments of doubt and despair, remind me of your promises. Fill my heart with your joy and peace, and let your hope overflow in my life. Help me to trust in your plans and to find strength in your presence. May your hope shine in me, guiding me through every trial and illuminating the path ahead. Use me as a beacon of your hope, bringing comfort and encouragement to those in need. Thank you for the gift of your eternal hope. Amen. Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ Blessing May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him. May you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, and may His hope guide and sustain you in all things. Amen.
