Authority under Scrutiny | Mark 11:27-12:12
Notes
Transcript
INTRO
INTRO
Good morning Church,
[illustration???]
As Gary has mentioned, Holy Week in the Bible, specifically here in the Gospel of Mark, takes up a large chunk of the book. In today’s passage, we enter the story on the third day when Jesus entered Jerusalem, which would make it a Tuesday during Holy or Passion Week.
In today’s passage we find Jesus’ authority under scrutiny. As we read this text, what we find is that we the reader are left with a few questions to answer ourselves. The following questions will serve as our outline.
Outline:
What is the origin of Jesus’ authority? (Mark 11:27-30)
What keeps people from recognizing Jesus’ authority? (Mark 11:31-33a)
What is at risk for those who reject Jesus’ authority? (Mark 11:33b-12:9)
How should we respond to Jesus’ authority? (Mark 12:10-12)
Before we begin, let us pray - PRAY
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF JESUS’ AUTHORITY? (11:27-30)
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF JESUS’ AUTHORITY? (11:27-30)
We begin our text with a quick, what seems like an insignificant comment from Mark. Jesus enters the Temple in Jerusalem for the third time, God himself again present in the Temple. If you remember from Family Bible Hour, one of the things we are left waiting for as we concluded the Old Testament was God’s presence in the Temple. You see, after the exile when Israel returns to the promised land and they rebuilt the Temple, God’s presence was not present in the temple like it was before, which leaves the reader of the Bible waiting for God to again make himself known. Here in Mark, we might be tempted to read past this first comment of Jesus walking in the Temple. Let us not miss the fact that Jesus, the God-man, enters the Temple. God’s presence is strolling around the Temple! That is not to say that things will return to the way they were. In John 2:19-21 we read:
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
In this verse, we find that the disciples understood Jesus’ words to mean that He was presenting himself as the new temple, where God’s presence is found, and the one who fulfills the ultimate sacrifice for atonement.
As Jesus walks through the Temple, (you have to wonder what he might have been thinking about), we find the leaders of the Jews come up to Jesus to question Him. Look at the text with me again.
Mark 11:27–28 “27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?””
We have the Chief Priests, the Scribes, and the Elders who we know make up a group called the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was a group who served as judicial authority for the Jews. This council was in charge of Jewish affairs and would make decisions on legal matters. These people coming to Jesus were people with high authority over Israel.
They come and ask Jesus two questions:
By what kind of authority are you doing these things?
Who has given you this authority?
These two questions are meant to scrutinize Jesus’ authority. Also notice, the Sanhedrin allude to the previous activities of Jesus when they say, “these things.” Just before this event, if you remember, Jesus had entered Jersualem on a donkey which fulfilled the the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. He then cleanses the Temple by overturning the tables of the money-changers. It is these things that prompted the religious leaders to question Jesus’ authority.
As the reader, we are left with the reasonable question, What is the origin of Jesus’ authority?
Mark, in his manner of developing this book, has equipped us to answer this question. In fact, the topic of Jesus’ authority isn’t new to the Gospel of Mark. Mark 2:6-7
6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
In this scene, we have some of the scribes questioning Jesus’ authority for only God can forgive sins!
Jesus goes on to demonstrate that He has both authority over sickness, and the authority to forgive sins. (Mark 2)
As we continue through the book of Mark we find evidence of Jesus’ authority.
Jesus is Lord over the Sabbath (Mark 2:28)
Jesus has authority over nature when we see that the wind and the sea obey his voice, and that He was the ability to walk on the sea (Mark 4:39-41; Mark 6:48-50)
Jesus has the authority over the evil spirits in casting them out. (Mark 5)
Jesus has authority over death itself when he rose Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5)
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is also called the Son of God, and the Son of Man, both titles demonstrating His authority and His Messianic identity. More than that, we understand that Jesus presents himself more than a prophet, or Rabbi (teacher). Jesus presents himself as God himself, doing the things only God can do.
By what kind of authority, or who has given Jesus this authority? The Sanhedrin may be ignorant of Jesus’ identity, but the readers of Mark are not. Jesus is the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Messiah, God himself dwelling among us. Mark presents clearly to us where Jesus’ authority comes from. It is rooted in His identity as the son of God, the son of Man, the Messiah, and, as the context alludes to, Jesus as the new and ultimate temple.
Jesus has authority, because He is God himself.
Although we as the readers of Mark should have no problem answering these question given to Jesus, Jesus does not answer the religious leaders directly. Jesus in his wisdom returns a question to them. Look at verse 30.
30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.”
In our first reading of Jesus’ response, we might be tempted to think that this question is intended to evade the question from the religious leaders. It seems disconnected from their original question. What does John the Baptist have to do with Jesus’ authority? You see, the answer to Jesus’ question about the baptism of John, is the answer to the question made by the Sanhedrin.
It is worth noting that in Jewish tradition, it was common to replace God’s name (Yahweh), with Lord, or God, or some commentators note that there is evidence that depending on the context, they would say “Heaven” in place of saying God. So, it would be more accurate to read this question as in, was the baptism of John form God or from man? Obviously, it is from God. Jesus’ authority, is found in God, who sent Jesus to die for our sins.
Where we usually see the religious leaders testing Jesus with questions, here we find Jesus testing them, and what we find are men who are motivated by fear.
WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM RECOGNIZING JESUS’ AUTHORITY?(11:31-33a)
WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM RECOGNIZING JESUS’ AUTHORITY?(11:31-33a)
In this dialogue, Mark provides the reader with some insight as to the rationale and illogical thinking by those who oppose and reject Christ.
Let me offer you two insights as to why people, like these religious leaders might reject Christ.
THE IGNORE THE EVIDENCE
THE IGNORE THE EVIDENCE
First, they ignore the evidence of Christ. Notice their argument isn’t rationalizing the evidence of Christ. They aren’t considering how Jesus fulfills the prophecies, or how perhaps the Kingdom God promised isn’t how they expected. We can assume they had enough evidence from the life of Christ to make a decision about his identity. In verse 28, when they say, “these things” in the immediate context, it refers to the actions during Holy Week, but they being the judicial authority of the Jews, we can assume they were well informed of Christ’s signs. Yet, none of that is considered. This tells us that they didn’t not come to Jesus open for a conversation, they were not concerned about the evidence at all.
I remember watching a friend do street evangelism when I was in college, and as he was engaging with someone who obviously opposed the message of Christ, my friend asked him, “if you had compelling evidence that God is real, would you believe?” The other guy, said, “absolutely not!” I realized then how helpful that question was. It saved my friend probably some hours, because this other person who was engaging with him, was not wanting to dialogue, they didn’t care about any evidence, they had made up their mind, and they are going to oppose and reject Christ.
The same could be said here. Jesus is so wise, and he asked them the appropriate question to reveal their posture when they approached Jesus. It wasn’t for clarification, or conversation, like we see with Nicodemus in the Gospel of John. No, they came to judge Jesus and ultimately to condemn Him.
FEAR OF MAN
FEAR OF MAN
Second insight as to why people might reject Christ. We see these leaders respond out of fear of man. There are few things in life more paralyzing or influential than fear. Take any fear, like the fear of snakes, heights, or public speaking. Those fears can change your route through the Zoo or the River Museum. They dictate what rides you get on at an amusement part, or what kind of job you would apply for. Fear is very influential. These religious leaders were motivated by their fear of man. Verse 32 tells us that they feared the people and that fear influenced their answer to Jesus.
It’s sad, that they chose what they felt was the safe route to say that they didn’t know the answer to Jesus’ question. It revealed their heart in that they were more concerned about their status before the people than to seek the truth about Christ.
It may be that here today there is someone who hasn’t placed their faith in Christ for salvation. Let me first commend you for being here! You are already at an advantage than that of these religious leaders. If you are here seeking for truth, take these insights of why some reject Christ, and don’t ignore the evidence, nor allow the fear of man to influence you. Matthew 7:7 says, that if you seek, you will find.
WHAT IS AT RISK FOR THOSE WHO REJECT JESUS’ AUTHORITY?(11:33b-12:9)
WHAT IS AT RISK FOR THOSE WHO REJECT JESUS’ AUTHORITY?(11:33b-12:9)
We have briefly seen what could keep a person from recognizing Jesus’ authority, but what follows is a sobering reality for those who reject Christ. Let’s look at the risk for those who reject Jesus’ authority.
Read
Mark 11:33 “33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.””
John Piper in his book Taste and See summarizes Jesus’ words which helps us see why Jesus chose to not engage with these people any further.
Taste and See: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life 112. When Jesus Will Not Answer a Question
In other words, I will not answer people like you. I will not cast the pearl of truth before those who trample truth with the whisperings of expediency. I will not answer questions that come from hearts that elevate self-preservation above honesty.
Piper here helps paint a picture for us of why Jesus responded the way He did. This is not the usual response we’ve seen from Jesus when others approach Him. Yet, if we look back, most of those who approached Him, may not have had a perfect faith. Meaning, they may not have known that Jesus was the Messiah, or any more than a prophet or a Rabbi, but they knew Jesus could heal them. They knew Jesus had authority and power, that even just touching his garment could heal them. Jesus engages with those people, even if they can’t see Jesus as their savior. That’s not the case here. These religious rulers did not come seeking truth, nor did they come to have an open conversation. As Piper points out, they are more concerned about “self-preservation” or their image before people, than about seeking truth. This leads Jesus to disengage with them. Since they are not willing to answer Jesus’ question, Jesus says he will also not answer their question.
Oddly enough, he does answer them, through a parable.
THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS
THE PARABLE OF THE TENANTS
As we look at this important parable from Jesus, I want to remind you that parables are stories with a particular point. Usually, Jesus’ parables have to do with the Kingdom of God. We have read where Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is like…” and then goes into the parable. That’s not the case here. The point of this parable is judgment upon those who reject Christ. To understand this parable, we have to identify the allusion to Isaiah 5:1-7 where we see the vineyard as a symbol for Israel, and the owner of the vineyard as symbol for God. We would bring those same identifications to this parable, due to their similarities which Jesus was intentionally bringing in.
In addition to the vineyard and the owner we also have the tenants, which in this case represent the religious leaders, the servants who the owner keeps sending, and the beloved son who is the last one to be sent.
The owner > God the Father
The vineyard > Israel
The tenants > Religious leaders
The servants > the prophets
The beloved son > Jesus Christ
What we have is a Jesus telling a story about the owner of the vineyard having abusive tenants who reject the authority of the owner by rejecting those the owner sends. Over and over, the owner showing patience, sends another servant, and the tenants either beat them or killed them all together.
The parable climaxes in verse 6.
Mark 12:6 “6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’”
This verse may not have been as clear to the Sanhedrin, but it is clear to us. The owner of the vineyard sends His son, the only other person, other than himself, who possessed legal claim over the vineyard. You see the son of the owner has authority because He the heir of the property.
The son goes as the father’s representative, with the father’s authority, to the father’s property, to claim the father’s due. What we have is the answer to the religious leader’s question here in verse 6! What kind of authority does Jesus have? Who gave him this authority? Jesus is the Son of God, and God himself coming with full authority.
Yet, the tenants in the parable did not receive the owner’s son with the respect he was owed.
They lived in a time where the law said that if the owner of a land dies and no one comes to claim it, it will then default to the tenants of that land. Jesus uses this social situation to make his point. The tenants might think they are winning but the owner is coming.
The parable continues with the tenants killing the son and throwing him out of the vineyard.
The parable ends with an explanation of the outcome for those tenants. Look at verse 9
Mark 12:9 “9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others.”
The owner (God) will come and destroy these tenants for their betrayal against Him.
Here at GBC we are about the Gospel. We use words like Gospel-centered, and Christ-centered, and rightly so, for it is only in the good news of Jesus that we have any hope for salvation. Yet, the message of Christ has two sides. We emphasize the salvific message of Christ while we can, until the Lord returns, but the good news is only good because of the reality of the bad news. The other side of the Gospel is the judgment for those who reject Christ. That’s what we see here. That’s the point of the parable, judgment is coming for those who reject the Son.
The Bible paints a clear picture of two kinds of people. Those who belong to Christ, who receive the Son, and those who reject Christ.
A few weeks ago in Family Bible Hour we looked at John 3 closely. Hold your finger on Mark 12, but turn your Bibles with me to John 3. Read with me
John 3:16–19 “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”
In these verses, we have a clear picture painted with different words. We see those who believe and those who do not believe. Those who who are saved by the Son, and those who are condemned. We have the light and the darkness. Different words, but painting the same picture. There are only two types of people that really matter. Those who receive and believe in the Son for salvation, and those who do not. Those who do not, they are condemned already, according to John.
This is the gravity of the situation, and we do well to remember the bad news of the Gospel because the good news is only as good as the bad news is bad.
For instance, say you are $1,000 in debt and then you hear that someone plans to give you $1,000. That’s good news right? Its probably better news for you than it might be for a person whose debt has also been paid while they have $100,000 in their bank account.
You see the good news is only as good as the bad news is bad, and Church, the bad news is very bad. Let me explain the bad news to us.
The bad news
The bad news
The Bible depicts God as the holy creator. Because he is holy, he cannot overlook sin, and we know that God does not leave the guilty unpunished. (Ex. 34:6-7)
We have the holy God, and us sinners! This is the main problem throughout the Bible, the sin problem. This is a serious problem. We are sick and unable to cure ourselves. We are guilty and because God is holy, sinners must be punished.
This is very bad news. This is the news that Jesus was presenting in this parable to these religious leaders. Those who reject the Son, will face judgment. We know that they understood Jesus’ parable based on Mark 12:12.
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO JESUS’ AUTHORITY? (12:10-12)
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO JESUS’ AUTHORITY? (12:10-12)
This whole section has to do with the authority of Jesus. It is questioned, it is rejected, it is clarified in the parable, and we have discussed what’s at risk for rejecting Jesus’ authority. In light of all of this, the reader is left asking, how should we respond to Jesus’ authority?
This passage ends with a direct quote from Psalm 118:22-23
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
In the context of Ps 118, the stone is attributed to Israel’s king. These verses in Psalms provide comfort to know that even that which is rejected, like Israel at various times throughout their history; God still fulfills His purposes and makes the rejected stone, the most important stone, the cornerstone. This shift from a rejected stone to the cornerstone is something that God alone does, and God’s people rejoiced over it.
Although this was the immediate context of Psalm 118, Jesus speaks of it prophetically and attributes the concept of the rejected stone to himself and therefore the one who has become the cornerstone.
Jesus attributes this idea to himself, and the early church also followed suit and understood Jesus to be the cornerstone.
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
The Bible presents Jesus as the cornerstone. It is interesting that Jesus introduces this quote by asking, “have you not read the Scripture? Of course they have! They know that Ps. 118 is attributed to Israel’s king, and as a result, Jesus again answers their original question by attributing that which was attributed to the king of Israel to himself.
Our text ends with two responses. The citation from Ps. 118 describes those who witnessed the rejected stone become the cornerstone as marveling at God’s doing. Another response is to respond like the Sanhedrin, who wanted to arrest Jesus, who left him and went away. What a contrast here at the end of our section, that really represents the the options to respond to Jesus’ authority. We either marvel at Him, or we reject Him and walk away.
Church, may we marvel every time we encounter the Words of the living God and consider what He has done and is doing. May we remember the gravity of the bad news that was our reality, and marvel that God who has chosen to love you and me, to spare our lives, to place our punishment upon His righteous son instead of us. Let us marvel at how He has completely saved us. How the wrath of God was fully satisfied upon the cross of Jesus. There is no wrath left over for us to bare, He took it all.
How do we respond to Jesus’ authority? We marvel, that he would pay our penalty. That God saves sinners who turn and trust in Jesus. That is marvelous news.
We marvel at the new and ultimate temple, the one we look to for dealing with our sins. The one we look to for bringing about new birth.
We marvel at the Son who is the good shepherd, who has laid down his life for the sheep. John 10:18
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
He has the authority to save, to lay down his life, and he chose to lay it down for you and me.
May we steer our affections toward God and His Son as we get closer every day to His glorious return.
Pastor Gary comes now to lead us in our closing prayer and benediction.