Daily EncouragementSample

With this question our Lord countered the question of the chief priests, the teachers and elders, “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things. Who gave you this authority?“ (verse 2).

The ultimate questions in all areas of life have to do with authority, and the ultimate question about authority itself is this: “from heaven, or from men?” In John and in Jesus these leaders recognized authority, and in their heart of hearts they knew it came from heaven, even though they denied it.

“All authority in heaven and on earth” has been given to the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18). It was felt here below during the days of his earthly life; “the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Luke 7:28-29). Today he exercises his authority from the heavenly realm, where he is seated at the right hand of God (Eph. 1:19-23).

He clothes his servants with his authority. They go in his name. He calls them apostles and ambassadors. They speak with his authority. “Here is such simplicity and power,” was how someone described the preaching of Daniel Rowland, the great Welsh Methodist preacher.