Jesus’ teaching continued on in Jerusalem – so far first they walked past the fig tree, then Jesus stayed with friends in Bethany, then Jesus cleared the temple and then they left the temple and the city (probably stayed with friends again)  and went past that fig tree again. “Read my post The Next Thing Jesus Did” to read about the fig tree  and read the post “A Teaching in the Temple Area” to read about the clearing of the temple.  Note that the disciples had not yet received the withered fig tree teaching before Jesus cleared the temple.  And imagine what questions the disciples themselves might be having after seeing their leader so unusually aggressive in actions and words.

So after Jesus teaches the disciples to not hold anything against anyone, they all go into Jerusalem.  Do you think that it’s possible any of the disciples might have been struggling with Jesus’ action in the temple?  I’m not certain, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some of them did.  Perhaps they received some more explanation from Jesus that evening so that his teaching to forgive really hit home and perhaps this speaks to those of us in our generation who have felt ‘let down’ by Jesus and his promises.  Perhaps there have been times in our lives when we’ve held grudges against Jesus – maybe some people still don’t like some of his teachings and admonishments so they hold a grudge or harbor anger against him.  Perhaps some people might even have to say to themselves I forgive you God or I forgive you Jesus, before they can get to the point of asking for forgiveness themselves.  Not that God in Jesus Christ needs forgiving, certainly not – it is we who have stepped outside his purpose, it’s we who have broken the commandments – Jesus fulfilled all of them, how could he need to be forgiven by us?  And so, now we see clearly that it is the people who misuse the intentional purpose of God’s created things – even those creations we build to glorify God are inspired by him for a specific purpose.  We misuse our own bodies, (have you forgotten your body is a temple to the Lord – see I Corinthians 6:19), so of course it is easy for us to begin to misuse the structures originally designed for God’s glory.

What are the things you are angry at God about?  Is it possible that you could find an answer of how to let of that anger by reading the Bible and relearning about the Jesus you loved as a child?  Unless we become like little children –  who are usually more forgiving than adults – you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Have you ever forgiven your earthly parents?  Have you ever stopped blaming them?  God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit don’t need to be forgiven, but it does us good to stop blaming him for all the wrong and or bad things that happen in our homes, in our cities, in the world.  I think blaming is a way of questioning and a way of avoiding allowing Jesus to have authority.

Back to questioning authority – Here is Jesus – the day after he cleansed the temple area, back walking around in the temple courts.  A group of people came over to him – included in the group were the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders.  This is a group of people who held a variety of authoritative positions.  It would be like having Bishops, Priests, Pastors, Ministers, Vestry’s, Bishops Committees, Seminary Professors, and people who oversee the structuring and ordering of church doctrinal statements and the wardens and deacons of the church. (I don’t know all the titles used in all denominations – but I think you understand who would all be included)    They have a question for Jesus –

“Who gave you authority to do this?”  They are not pleased with what happened yesterday.

How Jesus responds is somewhat remarkable.  Jesus asks them about John’s baptism –  You see, John had baptized Jesus just three years ago.  Jesus asks them all where John’s authority to baptize Jesus came from.  (Read Mark 1:1-8, Matthew 2:22& 23;  Luke 1)   All the people in authority doubted and worried about how to answer the question.  They felt caught between a rock and hard place.  Battling with their hardened hearts and fear of people.  Read carefully what is recorded in Mark 11:31 – 33.   It is their reluctance to try to answer the question.  They didn’t want to be questioned by Jesus if they answered one way and they didn’t want to lose respect from people if they answered a different way so they claimed ignorance.  And that caused Jesus to tell them that he was not going to answer their question.  He knew they knew the answer and he knew they didn’t want to hear it.

Does that describe your relationship with Jesus?  Do you struggle with his God given authority over your life and ministry?  Can you recognize how this struggle is weakening your ability to have a solid relationship with him?  Can you recognize how a weakened relationship with God in Christ can weaken your ministry?

Lord God, we confess that I/we have blamed you for things that you have not caused and taken credit away from you for those things that you should be recognized and praised for.  I/We confess that I/we have struggled with your authority over my/our life/lives. Please forgive us.  Forgive us for the times we have been more afraid of what people will think or say if we agree that God has given Jesus authority over our church.  Please help me/us to submit to His authority.  Please give us your Holy Spirit and help us to rebuild our lives and our churches and ministries on earth.  And give us courage to give credit and glory to you.  AMEN