May 22, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Authority of Jesus Challenged

Luke 20:1  And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2  And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3  And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4  The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5  And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6  But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7  And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. 8  And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

We must remember, the book of Luke and all of the bible did not have chapters and verse numbering when originally written.

As you read chapter nineteen going into chapter twenty you will see the context. Jesus had just cleared the temple. He emphatically told those in the temple that they were thieves. He told them they violated the word of God when He said “it is written.”

Now, after clearing the temple the big boys show up. The chief priest and the scribes (scribes were often lawyers not just copyist) and the elders. Evidently someone ran to get help when Jesus exercised God’s authority.

They, being pompous in their earthly authority, ask Jesus, who gave Him His authority.

Socraticly Jesus answers their question with a question. Verse 4  The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

Instead of using God’s reasoning and accepting the truth about themselves, they reasoned among themselves.

Their answers were not answers of God but of self protection, they did not want to lose what they had. They did not want to get embarrassed. Jesus had them on the spot. Jesus asked a question they could not answer without revealing truth about themselves. They were unyielding to the authority of Christ and were afraid of the people.

Verse 5  And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6  But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. 7  And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

My friend, when it comes to the authority of Christ and God’s word, where do you stand?

Do you reason with yourself trying to negate God’s authority? Do you make excuses in your relationship with God? Are you afraid to serve the Lord Jesus Christ because of what others think about it? Are you afraid to trust Christ as your saviour because of the reaction of others?

These religious leaders were afraid. Remember, they also crucified Jesus because they envied Him, He had what they did not have, a wonderful, great and glorious relationship with God because He was God.

Mark 15:10  For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

When it comes to reason, would you reason with God instead of yourself?

Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Whenever you reason with yourself you will always justify yourself and attempt to make yourself look good; when you reason with God you will see yourself for who you really are. When you reason with God you will ultimately come to a point of decision, will you trust and yield to Christ or will you reject Him.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook