The Chief priests, scribes and elders want to know, "why should we listen to you? whose authority are you acting on?"
So Jesus turns the question back on them in order to show them that they do not honor authority the way they think they do (11:27-33). They know the answer to Jesus' question. They aren't confused about what they think. But they are confused about where authority comes from, what keeps it and how to hold it. They are scared that the people might revolt if they knew what they really thought about John the Baptist and his message. But if they say John was sent under Heaven's authority, Jesus' natural next question will be, "then why didn't you obey him?" So they lie and say that they don't know. So Jesus concludes, there is no point in telling you whose authority I operate under because you don't respect authority. What the priest, scribes and elders are trying to do is get the best of both worlds: they want to look like the kind of people who honor and respect authority "by what authority are you doing these?" (because we care about authority and it matters to us) WITHOUT the obligation and responsibilities of actually being under authority. So they get to look like they would honor it if they knew what it was and simultaneously don't have to obey it. They want to look good without being good in other words.
To punctuate the point, Jesus tells a parable about authority (12:1-12). In the story, the tenants, who are under the authority of the landowner, act as though it is their land. They don't act like managers, but owners. They kill the heir of the land in order to complete their takeover of it. With the heir dead, it's only a matter of waiting for the owner to die and then it is theirs. Jesus says this is what many try to do. Many act like they are their own authority and that they can kill or reject or deny whatever outside authority attempts to make claim on them. The scribes and elders pick up that this was a veiled reference to them.
Another altercation around authority comes to light around money. (13-17) Caesar is a clear authority, and if you doubt it, just look at your money. His face is on it. And that is how Jesus answers the question. Caesar is the author of this currency, he has put his image on it. Give him back what has his image on it. But you are God's. He has put His image on you. You owe Him what has His image on it. In other words, you are currency printed off in His treasury and have value backed up by His image and value. If all Caesar wants is some of your money, let him have it. No biggie. God doesn't need your money, He wants ALL of you. Everything that bears His image is His and He isn't exacting taxes in the form of percentages, He is asking for it ALL.
Another altercation around authority erupts around authority of Scripture. (18-27) The Sadducees think parts of the Bible don't apply --> resurrection, angels, etc... They are not Bible literalists (those are the Pharisees). The Sadducees feel free to play fast and lose with the Bible, taking what they like, and explaining away as metaphor what they don't care much for. They have an example which they believe highlights the absurdity of believing the Bible teaches resurrection. Jesus confronts this directly and proves the authority of the Bible and the reality of resurrection.
Another altercation concerning the authority of God's Word busts out around importance. Ok, the Bible is important, but which part if MOST important (28-34) Jesus boils the Bible down to its core orienting principles of love God, love people. Now, it is worth pointing out that He is summarizing the LAW here. That is what He was asked for and that is what He gives. The LAW is good and godly, but it is bad news for sinners. Love God and love people may be easier to remember than 39 books of the OT, but it isn't easy to pull off. IT highlights how far off base we are. JUST love God and others. As though that were something easier to accomplish? Exactly! If you feel the weight of the Law or the poke of the Law once it is at that fine of a point, you are ready for good news to rush in through the hole produced by its pierce.
Another altercation concerning the authority God's Word focuses now on the Messiah specifically (35-37) How could David call his son, Lord? How could the Lord be flesh and how could David, the High King, submit to his descendant's authority? Well, the Christ would be flesh and God, that's how. He would be really human (a son of David) and really God (a son from Heaven).
Jesus summarizes these lessons on authority by telling his followers NOT to follow the example of the scribes (38-40). Their take on authority is off and if you walk in their footsteps you will only end up achieving more condemnation for yourself, not more commendation.
Lastly, Jesus sits down after a busy day of defending the authority of God and decides to watch people gives offerings, ya know the way people hang out and just watch the offering box? :) (41-44) Being under authority is about giving all that you have, not how much you give. If some have more, they are responsible to give more. Whatever you have and in whatever place you are in, give ALL of yourself to God. The poor widow gave all of herself. The rich people put in only part. The rich gave quantitatively more, but the poor widow gave qualitatively more. They gave some, she gave it ALL. This leads us back to the point from Caesar and the coin. when it comes to money, remember whose image you bear and that you are His currency printed on His paper and you owe all of it back to Him, your value comes from Him and should be spent on Him and for Him.
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