Bible Bites 4 Teens

If the religious leaders of Jesus’ day only knew how foolish they would look in the light of eternity when they questioned Jesus’ authority. It sounds a little like saying “God, how dare you think you can create the universe,” or something like that. But none-the-less, they demanded that Jesus tell them by what authority he did all the amazing things – miracles, healings, teachings, etc. – that he had been doing.

Jesus could see through their question. They wanted to trap him by how he answered their question. Chances are he knew their question before they even asked it. Jesus knew that this question was better left unanswered, so he turned it around on them, by asking them who gave John the Baptist the authority to baptize people. Read it for yourself in the passage below:

27 Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. 28 They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

29 “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. 30 “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!”

31 They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. 32 But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. 33 So they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

–Mark 11:27-33 (NLT)

There is an expression I grew up hearing from my mom. “Two can play at that game.” Jesus’ question stumped the religious leaders in the same way that they tried to stump Jesus.

God is God is God… There is no getting around that fact. It’s as true today as it was when God answered Moses question at the scene of the burning bush. Moses wanted to know who to tell the Israelites what God’s name is/was and God answered, God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am.[a] Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14 NLT)

The common people’s view:

The people were looking for Jesus to come to Jerusalem. Their hero – healer of diseases who can feed thousands with only a few loaves of bread and fish – he would surely break the oppression from the Roman government in time. Here is the grand welcome the people had for Jesus:

8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

11 So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.

–Mark 11:8-11 (NLT)

But Jesus’ wept:

As Jesus approached Jerusalem he wept. They were not tears for himself – for the beating he would have to endure and his crucifixion on the cross. They were tears for the people of Jerusalem. Tears for what was to become of them and of their city because they would not accept the salvation God was offering them through Jesus his Son. Read it here:

41 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. 42 “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. 43 Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. 44 They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.”

–Luke 19:41-48 (NLT)

Where are you in this picture? Are you looking for the true salvation Jesus has to offer? Or are you looking only for miracles and comfort? Don’t sell yourself short.

Crucifixion image credit: inaquim / 123RF Stock Photo (image modified with gold by Janice D. Green)

What will tomorrow hold for us? There are so many things that can make us anxious about what tomorrow holds for us – especially in our teen years.

Jesus and his Disciples were on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover. They knew that many people loved Jesus. The people following them were more aware of the dangers that lie ahead than the Disciples. Jesus stopped along the way to speak to the Twelve Disciples alone. Read his warning to them below:

32 They were now on the way up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were filled with awe, and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear. Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus once more began to describe everything that was about to happen to him. 33 “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man[a] will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans.[b]34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”    (Mark 10:32-34 NLT)

The Disciples still didn’t truly understand, even though Jesus had said this to them several times. They still had their own ideas about what the Son of God could do on this earth, how he could conquer and defeat enemies. How everyone would be compelled to love him – and they would be his teammates!

We don’t always get our way. Usually that is because God has a better plan for us. Jesus wasn’t eager to suffer and die, but he was willing. He was able to see the greater picture and stayed in the path laid out for him.

Let us learn to face tomorrow with hope knowing that God is seeking to help us find the path for wholeness with him – the path of our greatest joy, contentment, and peace – even if it includes hardships.

Image credit: feverpitched / 123RF Stock Photo