The Authority of Jesus

The Authority of Jesus

“Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 
Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.  
John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’  
But if we say, ‘From men’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” 
                         Matthew 21:23-27.

Here the chief priests and elders questioned the authority of Jesus to teach. It was just another incident in a series of traps the religious leaders were laying for Jesus.  Jesus did not fall for it.
Today people while respecting Jesus as a good man are still asking the by what authority did Jesus come.
The early apostles had no doubt by who’s authority Jesus spoke. Peter is recorded as staying,
     “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.  
This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.  
David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 
because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 
“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day.  
But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.  
Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.  
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact
Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.  
For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ 
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 
                                   Acts 2:22-36
Think about it.