Authority as God's Son

23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority?"
24 Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John's baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?"
They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'Of human origin'—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet."
27 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Matthew 21:23-27


What I love about being a Christ follower is the fact that God is less concerned about human authorization to preach his word than He is about receiving us back into authentic relationship with Him, human hearts that are willing to come to Him, just as they are with all of their sin and shame in an effort to be restored and renewed by His Saving Grace in order that through the power of His Holy Spirit working through their lives that they could reflect His love to the lost world which is all around them today and in desperate need of a Savior! See, the chief priests of Jesus’ time were concerned about man-made laws and traditions that allowed them to maintain power and control over the church and they were so self consumed and prideful that they missed the greatest blessing of all time - God, in the flesh, living among us through His Son Jesus Christ in order that we all could be free from the bondage of this sinful world. If they would only have looked outside of their personal circumstances they would have shared in a joy and reward that was incomparable to the short term pleasure that they received from being in control. What personal circumstance do you need to look beyond today in order that you could see God more clearly? What sin or selfish ambition or desire do you need to let go in order that God could use your life today? Bring them all to Jesus today on your knees and ask Him to take all of the junk of your life in order that the power and authority of the Holy Spirit can go to work through you today in an effort to change the eternal destiny of a loved one or friend or colleague that needs more than ever to see the love of Christ through you. Rest in the love of Jesus today as you strive to know and love Him more!