Authority

John 2:18 – “…What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?"

The question posed to Jesus by His detractors is a good one. It was clear that He spoke and taught with the authority in a way only He could. That question also challenges Christians today. Is there a good answer to it? You bet there is. God’s Word is just as authoritative today as it was then. Do you believe that?

Note how Jesus answers, though. He tells them to destroy the temple, and in three days He would rebuild it. Now, these are Jewish leaders He is talking to. Of course they are not going to destroy the icon of their belief system, their temple. They even respond pridefully about how long it took to build it. His disciples must have wondered why He answered as He did, but after His resurrection they “got it”.

In today’s culture, it is not politically correct to decry moral issues that are front-page news. To speak out boldly in favor of faithful and monogamous marriage, or to want to protect the unborn, labels you as a radical, a bible-banger, snake-handling Baptist. To claim there is but one way to secure eternal life with God, through saving belief in Jesus Christ as Savior makes you intolerant and offensive to even the religious.

But ultimately, it comes down to authority. And just as Jesus enemies did, so do our opponents want to know on what authority we make such “radical” stands. We need not be ashamed, as Paul says in Romans 1:16, of the truth of God’s Word, the truth of the Gospel, and the role of Scripture as our sole source of faith and practice in our lives.

So are we hearing from God regularly, daily? Let’s make sure we consistently open His Word and listen to what He has to say to us. And when we point out right and wrong, and are asked “Says who?” The answer is God; God says, He told us in His Word; that is authority enough.