The Holy Week – Tuesday

Greetings and welcome to our blog series on the Holy Week.

The Holy Week is the week between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. It is observed by Christians as a time of devotion to the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Passion was the final period of Jesus’ life in Jerusalem, which spans from when He triumphantly arrived in Jerusalem to when he was crucified. On each day of the week, there is an event that happens. Today, we are going to take a look at what happened on Tuesday of the Passion.

On Tuesday, Jesus is questioned by religious leaders. We read this in Matthew 21:23-26 (also read: Mark 11:20-33; Luke 20:1-8).

Religious Leaders Question Jesus:

Matthew 21:23-26

23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

On Tuesday, Jesus went to the temple and began to teach. While teaching, the religious leaders came up to him and asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things (likely referring to the cleansing of the temple, Jesus’ authority to heal, and the authority to teach as Jesus was not officially a priest or scribe), and who gave you this authority?” Jesus asks them a tricky question: “The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” The religious leaders knew that either way they answered, they would be in jeopardy of looking hypocritical. If they say that “from man,” the crowd would get upset. If they say, “from God,” Jesus will question their faith. The leaders’ refusal to answer this question shows their dishonesty, but Jesus also traps them, for as religious leaders they must now profess their ignorance. And if they do not know whether John was from God, how can they judge whether Jesus is? They take the easy way out and claim that they do not know the answer. Jesus tells them that he will not tell them the authority in which He does these things.

Now that we have a clear understanding of what happened, what do we learn?

I really want us to focus on three words: “By What Authority?” The gospel of Mark shows us 7 ways that Jesus has authority:

1. Jesus has authority as a Teacher – Mark 1:35-39.
   1. After being given authority by God and beginning His ministry (Mark 1:14-15), Jesus preaches in Galilee. Jesus spends time with the Father in prayer and then is approached by the disciples. Jesus is told that everyone is looking for Him. Peter and the others only see the needs and therefore do not understand why Jesus went away to pray. Jesus intentionally removes himself from the crowds and then goes on to the next towns, obeying the Father’s call to preach the gospel. Jesus begins going around Galilee and preaching in the synagogues. Jesus had shown his authority as a teacher.
2. Jesus has authority as a Healer – Mark 5:21-34.
   1. Jesus had returned to the Galilean side of the sea, where his popularity was constantly growing. While beside the sea, Jairus (leader of a local synagogue) approached Jesus and asked Him to come and heal his daughter. While on His way, Jesus was walking through a large crowd. In that crowd was a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. She was considered unclean and impure, likely sharing that with those in the crowd she also touched. She told herself that if she could just touch his cloak, she had the faith that it would heal her. When Jesus passed her, she reached out and barely touched his cloak. She was instantly healed; Jesus felt the power leave His body. Jesus had shown His authority as a healer.
3. Jesus has authority over the Natural and Supernatural world – Mark 4:35-41 (natural); Mark 5:1-20 (supernatural).
   1. In Mark 4:35-41, we see that Jesus has authority of the natural world. While on the Sea of Galilee, a terrible storm came from nowhere. There were strong winds, black skies, and tall waves. The disciples were terrified, even for experienced fishermen. All the while, Jesus was fast asleep in the bottom of the boat. When they awoke Jesus, He said, “Peace! Be Still!” and the storm went away. Jesus had shown his authority over nature.
   2. In Mark 5:1-20, we see that Jesus has authority of the supernatural world. After the storm had gone, Jesus and the disciples came to the other side of the sea, to the country of Gerasenes. As soon as Jesus had stepped out of the boat, a man with unclean spirits came out of a tomb and met him. He was unable to be subdued, even by chains and shackles. The man fell at Jesus’ feet and begs for Jesus not to torment him. We find out that this man has demons inside of him and is named Legion. A legion was the largest unit of the Roman army and at full strength had 6,000 soldiers. Jesus casts the demons out of this man and they entered pigs. The pigs rushed down a steep bank into the sea and drowned. Jesus had shown His authority over the supernatural.
4. Jesus has authority over Death – Mark 5:35-43.
   1. While Jesus is speaking to a crowd, messengers inform the synagogue ruler that his daughter has died and suggest it’s no longer necessary to bother Jesus. Ignoring their lack of faith, Jesus encourages the ruler to believe and not fear. Jesus then selects Peter, James, and John to accompany him to the ruler’s house, where they find a scene of mourning. Despite the crowd’s disbelief, evidenced by their laughter when Jesus claims the girl is merely sleeping, he sends everyone outside except the girl’s parents and his three disciples. Jesus then miraculously revives the girl by taking her hand and commanding her to arise. The girl immediately gets up, to the amazement of all present. Jesus instructs them to keep the miracle private and to give the girl something to eat, highlighting both the miraculous restoration of life and the return to normalcy. Death was not a barrier for Jesus. He had shown his authority over death.
5. Jesus has the authority to Give Life – Mark 5:35-43.
   1. Again, Jesus proved that death was not a barrier. He was able to bring back the ruler’s daughter from the dead. Not only does Jesus have authority over death, but He also has the authority to give life.
6. Jesus has the authority to Call Disciples – Mark 1:16-20.
   1. While passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed Him. And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Him. Jesus approached these men and called them as disciples; the men listened. Jesus had shown his authority to call disciples.
7. Jesus has the authority to Forgive Sins – Mark 2:1-12.
   1. When Jesus had returned to Capernaum, word got out and they had all gathered together. There was no room. Every door and window were occupied, and people could not get in. Four men carried a paralytic man to the roof, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic in the hopes that Jesus would heal him. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” The scribes in the crowd began to say that Jesus was blaspheming and had no right to forgive the paralytic’s sins. Jesus questioned the scribes and said, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all. Jesus had shown His authority to forgive sins.

Knowing the 7 ways that Jesus has authority, what does that mean for me?

Depending on the season that you are in or whether you have a relationship with Jesus, this can all mean different things. As life ebbs and flows, we find ourselves in new seasons with new problems, worries, and excitements. In moments where you feel spiritually dead or you feel broken, this is a reminder to you that Jesus gives life, and He is a healer. Jesus brought people who were physically and spiritually dead to life. He can do it for you! Maybe in your season of life, you feel like you are too far gone. Maybe you feel that your sins are not forgivable, that regardless of the sacrifice, nothing can bridge the gap between you and God. If that’s the case, I would like to remind you that yes, there is a gap between you and God. However, if you put your faith in the Lord and accept Him as your Savior, Jesus’s sacrifice bridges the gap and washes your sin white as snow. Maybe the season of your life is one of unbelief – you don’t believe but maybe you want to. I’d like to remind you that Jesus has the authority to forgive sins and call disciples. He can forgive YOUR sins and call YOU as a disciple. If you find yourself in that stafe of life, I’d love to have a convseration with you!

On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus is questioned by religious leaders. Tomorrow, we are going to take a look at what Jesus does on Wednesday of Holy Week.

If you have any questions or comments, I’d love to have a conversation with you! I can be reached at landen@brooksbaptist.org.

In love,

Pastor Landen Baynard

*This blog was influenced by a devotion from Dr. Ed Hoard, Jackson Presbyterian Church.