Focus
Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.
Read
Mark 11:27-33 (NRSV)
Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Reflect
We come to this passage at an interesting time in Jesus’ story. In the verses just before these, Jesus turned the tables over in the Temple and cursed a fig tree, which caused it to wither. He called out the corruption that had been occurring in the Temple. Some people were exploiting the house of God for a profit. They were taking advantage of vulnerable people. When Jesus challenged their actions, he caused a scene. Of course, the leaders of the Temple were offended!
Who did this Jesus think he was? Jesus was not from royal lineage, he did not have the “credentials,” and furthermore, he spent time with the marginalized of society! But Jesus stood up against these religious leaders by asking them a question about the baptism of John. Worried about image and the consequences of their answer, they cowardly said, “We don’t know.”
Persons of power who exploit the vulnerable for their gain or profit still exist. In fact, they surround us, as do people who are marginalized. Remember, brothers and sisters, that through the Holy Spirit we have the same authority that Jesus used. We have the authority to speak out for justice, to love the marginalized, and to have the confidence to change our world.
Pray
God, grant us the courage to speak out for justice. Holy Spirit, guide our hearts to love the marginalized and vulnerable. And when adversity comes, when others may question for their own gain, give us the authority to do your will. Amen.
Go with God.
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