By Who's Authority? (Luke 20, especially vs 2, 8, 9-18 and 20)

 From infancy to toddler-hood to teenager to adult-hood, we test the boundaries those in authority above us set.  Whether it's parents or guardians in the home, teachers or principals at school, elders, deacons or pastors at church, an employer or bosses at work, there is always someone in authority above us.  And if we think we are the top gun, there's still Someone supreme above all.

We learn about it in Romans 13:1 ESV,

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God..."

There's no getting away from it.

And when some seeming upstart tries to move in on that position of earthly authority, the top gun feels threatened.  Although, of course there is room for those in authority to be accountable.  They are not above the law themselves and should check authenticity of the challenger and the challenges they present.

So you can sort of see it both ways when the religious authorities, who did not, or would not, recognize or acknowledge who Jesus really was.  In Luke 20, where Jesus teaches the people in the temple, those chief priests and scribes demanded to know, 

" ... by what authority do you do these things, or who is it that gave you this authority?"

It was a legitimate question but it was borne out of jealousy creating a very negative innuendo.  But Jesus answers their question with a question and tells a parable about a landowner who plants a vineyard, letting it out for others to tend.  The man expects to harvest for himself but the vineyard tenders beat and kill the messengers and finally the man's son whom they refused to acknowledge and accept.

The vineyard workers had challenged the owner's authority that the messengers and the son carried vicariously.  The viticulturists made great attempt to override this authority in their lives, taking matters into their own hands, and perhaps due to greed, horded greater profit for themselves.  Eventually they had to meet the owner face-to-face and it wasn't a pretty outcome for those operatives.

If the religious leaders of Jesus' time had of been willing to answer Jesus' question, they would have had an answer to their own, especially after that parable.  In the end they strove to hand Jesus over to the authority and jurisdiction of the earthly governor, who ironically got his position of authority from Jesus' Father, God.  Or you could even say from Jesus, Himself.  But we find that ...

"He was despised and rejected by men ... and we esteemed him not" Isaiah 53:3 ESV.

If we present day followers of Jesus Christ truly follow Jesus, we will need to expect similar questioning of our discipleship and the God-given authority we have to preach Christ and the standing up for the principles and truth of God's Word.

This is what happened to Charlie Kirk and thousands of others around the world.  It also happened to the apostles and disciples from New Testament times.  All throughout the ages past, brothers and sisters-in-Christ have stood courageously for their faith in Jesus Christ and who, by His authority preached and practiced the blessed good news of salvation through faith in Jesus (see Matthew 28:18-20, especially vs 18 ESV).

Let us stand strong and live by God's authoity in our lives in submission to Him and His Word.

                                             ~ ERC  September 2025 ~

Based on Luke 20:2, 8, 9-18 and 20 ESV.

Sijng, It's Not an Easy Road, along with Single Mother Music Lover.