A Day of Proving

On Tuesday in Mark, Jesus' authority was questioned and his honor was tested:

• By what authority do you do these things? Jesus responds by asking what authority John the Baptist had. He then tells the Parable of the Tenants.
• They ask Jesus about paying taxes. Jesus implies they have nothing to do with him.
• Sadducees try to trick Jesus about resurrection.
• Someone asks Jesus the greatest commandment.
• Then Jesus asks a question that stumps them all.

How do these stories relate to us?

• On one level, they don't. We aren't Jesus. None of us have the level of authority he does. None of us have be as clever as he was in responding to his critics.
• Then again, God does give spiritual authority and insight to people. On one level, this is a self-authenticating authority. On another, truly spiritual people will recognize it too. Then again, which ones are they?
• Jesus reminds us that our kingdom is not of this world. We are strangers and aliens here in our earthly countries.
• Some people like to ask questions to make themselves sound smart. Jesus isn't interested in how clever we are. He's interested in our hearts. He's interested in our love.
• But Jesus does know what he's doing. He knows the answers to our questions and to countless questions we haven't even thought of.