Tuesday, April 30th, 2019

We are all challenged to varying degrees in life and in many different ways – sometimes physically, sometimes emotionally, and other times spiritually. The world will never stop challenging those who follow Christ. So what are we to do when challenged over our faith in Jesus? Jesus himself was challenged on his authority in the Bible and shows us how to rise above the challenge without sinning. Matthew describes an interaction between Jesus and the chief priests of the day, saying, “And when [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Jesus was comfortable being challenged by those who did not see the world as he did – through his Father’s eyes. We should expect no different. Today, be courageous in your faith and rise above the slings and arrows of those who cannot or refuse to see the world through God’s eyes.

“And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” – Matthew 21:23-27 ESV