The Week That Changed The World Devotional February 26

MARK 11:27-28 | ²⁷ Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him ²⁸ and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?”

MARK 14:53, 57-58 | ⁵³ They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled.

⁵⁷ Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ”

What a moment! Into the Temple precincts strides Jesus and He takes over control of the Temple, suspending operations and passing judgement. His actions were a direct claim of authority over Israel’s highest institution.

This prophetic action sparked an immediate and direct response. The chief priests demanded to know who had granted Him His   authority and what role was He claiming to justify it. This was and remains the central question of Jesus’ ministry. It is the identity question. Who is Jesus and does He represent God? Remember that this moment of confrontation occurred at Passover, when religious and national feelings were at a high point, with a million people flooding Jerusalem. The question of Jesus and the Temple reappears at His trial.

Isn’t it interesting and suggestive that this question of Jesus’ authority is still the central life question for people today?

Gracious God,

There is no following without obedience, no discipleship without submission. Let me live as one who acknowledges Your authority in every area of my life.

Amen.