Easter ReflectionsSample

Steeped in religion, the Jews would always question any religious authority they felt could not be traced back to their spiritual heritage. Anyone who wished to teach at the synagogue/temple had to have been trained by a renowned Rabbi. Jesus wasn't, yet he taught as one with authority, unlike the scribes (Matthew 7:29), much to the displeasure of the Jewish leaders.

When they questioned him, Jesus responded with a question of his own: "...was the baptism of John from heaven or man" (Luke 20:3-4)? They couldn't answer. They couldn't say it was from heaven because they did not believe John. Also, saying it was from a man would put them at risk of being stoned to death, as many believed John was a prophet (Luke 20:5-6).

The question of the authority of Jesus was occasioned by his preaching of the gospel (Luke 20:1). Paul defines the gospel as "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). The Jewish religious leaders only sought to burden God's people with laws, while Jesus, fulfilling God's righteous requirement on our behalf (Romans 1:3-4), invites us to rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

The authority of Christ is from God because he does "only what he sees the Father doing" (John 5:19). Simply put, if anyone were to discern God the Father's will, they would know from whom Christ received his authority.

And possessing "all authority", Christ commands us to bear witness to his name and further the spread of the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). While resting on Christ's authority and not our own, we can preach the gospel with boldness (Acts 28:31).

The Father's will is that "...everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life..." (John 6:40). So, if Easter reminds us of anything, it is this: to fix our gaze constantly on Jesus and live helping others do the same.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are the God of all, and from you, I ask for boldness to proclaim your gospel without hindrance. Forgive me, Savior, for whenever I have defied your authority by living in disobedience. In Jesus' name, Amen.