The Journey to the Cross - Week 7

Verse 29 “Counterquestion” Showdown (Jesus) ·      Initial Questioning [v28] (Chief Preists, Scribes, Elders) -By what authority are you doing these things? -Who gave you the authority to do these things? ·      Counterquestion [v30] (Jesus) -The baptism of John, was it from Heaven or men?    Why?                     What is Jesus attempting to show them? - John’s authority and Jesus’ authority have the same source. They are commissioned messengersof the same sender. The crowds had clearly believed John to be a Prophet (from Heaven.) - Jewish legal precedence says a commissioned messenger acts on the authority of the one who sent him. (In this case, the sender is God the Father or Yahweh)   John as the Pendulum  -If John was acting on behalf of man (human authority) he should have been stopped and reprimanded.  - If John was acting on behalf of God (Divine Inspiration) God will reprimand them for not listening. John as the Prophet - Matthew 3:1-6                 John came as the forerunner of one who is to come (Jesus.) People came from all around the region to be baptized by John, and confess their sins. (Matthew 3:6 - John baptized with water for repentance, Jesus baptized the waters as The Repentance.) o   This is quite literally the definition of a Prophet. -Matthew 14:5                   John has no fear of death for himself, but fear for his people. (Those he served and prophesied to) The people looked to him as their prophet. The Charge:    Making the Case (Jesus’ Authority) 1. By What Authority Are You Doing These Things? 2. Who Gave You The Authority To Do These Things?   The Case Against: What are “these things” Jesus has been accused of doing/performing? 1.        Cleansing the Temple (Mark 11:15-17) 2.        Teaching With Authority (Mark 11:18) 3.        Performing Miracles (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21)   Presenting the Evidence for Jesus’ Source Authority. (By what authority are you doing these things?) God On Trial 1.        His Divine Authority Comes from God the Father -John 5:19-23 -Isaiah 9:6-7 2.        The Source Was Revealed In Jesus Fulfillment of Prophecy -Zechariah 9:9 -Malachi 3:1 3.        Spiritual Blindness Will Keep the “Religious Elite” From Seeing God’s Fulfillment -John 5:39-40   Presenting the Evidence for the Source of Jesus’ Authority. (Who gave you authority to do these things?) Jesus On Trial 1.        Affirmed By God at Jesus’ Baptism -Matthew 3:16-17 2.        Evidenced Through the Miracles -Mark 2:10-11 -John 10:37-38  3.        The Authority Was Always in the Logos (Word) -John 1:1-5, 14   The Closing Remarks: The Evidence that Requires a Faith in Him 1.        Jesus is the heir of all things and the radiance of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:1-3) 2.        God has exalted Jesus and given Him the Name above all names. (Philippians 2:9-11) 3.        Jesus is the image of the Invisible God and holds preeminence over all creation. (Colossians 1:15-20)   The Verdict: The Evidence Has Spoken. The Court Requires a Verdict for the Charges. 1.        Jesus Authority Is, Commissioned By God. Affirmed by His baptism, miracles and fulfillment of prophecies. 2.        Jesus Authority Is, Validated By Scripture. Moses, the Prophets and the Messianic Foretelling(s) all reveal who Jesus is and who sent Him. 3.        Jesus Authority Is, Self-Evident Through His Works. Jesus miracles, teachings and cleansing of the temple displayed and reflected His’ Divine Authority. Jesus was working BY and THROUGH the direct authority of God the Father, Yahweh, the Eternal One… He is Guilty, of being fully-God and fully-man. Here to do His’ Fathers’ Work. The Challenge of Precedence. With this legal precedence in mind… You speak as a commissioned messenger (Matthew 28:19-20) directly on behalf of Jesus Christ the One who sent you.  If you (your faith)  were put on a trial of your own RIGHT NOW, would there be enough evidence to convict?   Does your vineyard bear the fruit of Jesus?  (Galatians 5:22-23)