On the day described above, religion confronted God, unpleased with His methods. These verses reveal the threat that is perceived
when the Gospel is declared in the presence of those who refuse to declare it. I
said is perceived and not just was perceived, although both are
accurate. Even today, those who have not received God’s Grace through the
Gospel often resent those who have.
I
wonder what the daily Sanhedrin meetings at the Temple were like in the days of Jesus time on earth. He quietly entered the
Temple, selecting a place under Solomon’s Colonnade, the roofed “porch” that
extended around the perimeter of the Temple mount, and taught. It seems likely
that spies were appointed to monitor all Jesus taught, seeking flaws. Looking
back we see the absolute folly of trying to find the Author of the Scriptures
in conflict with Himself, and imagining themselves more capable of
understanding what we now know was His Word, than He. His opponents were used
to looking back in Scripture, and agreed that a Messiah would someday come, but
were unable to recognize Him when He arrived.
Then as now, if you don’t believe in a
Messiah, the Gospel is nonsense. Then as now, if you have not been transformed
by the power of the Gospel, you’ll find your spirit uncomfortably pricked every
time you hear it or are near it, and although you may mention it in passing, if
you have not experienced Gospel transformation you cannot be a valid Gospel
witness.
In today’s verses, the Sanhedrin decided to
open a debate with Jesus based on the issue of authority. They were men of
authority who instead of operating always under God had co-opted His authority
as if their own, presenting a sort of –
this is our house and we’re in charge here attitude. In their pride of
leadership, they mistakenly confronted God in His own house.
When God extends His authority to us for
some purpose for ministry in His kingdom, we must receive it as servant leaders
or we’ll likely end up as religious tyrants. Jesus promised that His sheep know
His voice. Over the centuries ministry leaders who have begun to operate as the
Temple leadership did are able to deceive their flock for a while, but
eventually the flock recognizes the fraudulence of a voice which mimics but isn’t
genuinely led by their shepherd, and they depart, seeking an authentic
Shepherd.
We don’t need to spend a lot of time
evaluating false spiritual leaders. If they mimic but don’t sincerely imitate
the Lord, our ears will discern their spiritual lip-syncing. However, we do
need to apply the spiritual disciplines of prayer, discernment, bible study,
fellowship, etc, to make certain our message remains authentic, fully
authorized by God. We need to seek Him with daily spiritual vigilance, especially
if God has placed us as teachers of the Word in any way. It is an unfathomable
privilege to be permitted to care for and teach God’s children.
Be wary of unauthorized biographies of Christ expressed by false prophets. Are there some easily discernable signs of
Christian authenticity? I think so.
Authentic Christians speak easily and without shame of the sin burden
the Lord has lifted from them, and you won’t be around them long without
hearing the detailed testimony of their salvation. They wear a mantle of love,
forgiving easily, and have eyes that seek Kingdom purpose and opportunity. It
is impossible to compliment them. They always deflect glory toward God.
Christ's authority only accompanies Christian authenticity. Religion can claim God's authority, but it will never possess it. Once, religion even tried to kill God to get His authority. It briefly looked like they may have gotten their way. But on the third day....
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