Ever wondered who's in charge?

(86) Authority

Temple worship was established long ago. It has been maintained through war, invasion, diaspora and more. Whenever things fall apart, the Temple and the people are restored. So now, here comes this itinerant preacher from the back of beyond demanding change, and refusing to accommodate the church leaders or follow established protocol. No wonder they’ve got questions.

1.       Read Matthew 21:23, Mark 11:27-28, Luke 20:1-2 When might we have heard similar questions asked in the community? What about in church?

a.       Is it wrong to ask question authority? Or to question God? Read Genesis 18:22-23, Exodus 32:11

2.       Read Matthew 21:24-27, Mark 11:29-33, Luke 20:3-8 Answering a question with a question was a common form of argument, and one the religious leaders were familiar with. But the “answering” question has to be relevant.

a.       How does Jesus’ answer relate to authority?

b.      How does their inability to answer reflect on their authority? (Weren’t they in charge of such things?)

c.       Have you ever felt caught between two poor choices (or answers)?

d.      Is it wrong to say “I don’t know”?

3.       Why won’t the authorities answer Jesus’ question? And why won’t Jesus answer theirs?

a.       What about our questions? Does Jesus always answer us?

Of course, Jesus does go on to give an answer, but he gives it in parables—another teaching method they were all familiar with. Read Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-19

1.       Matthew and Mark mention the hedge, winepress and tower. What “hedge” did God place around his people, and who was meant to watch from the tower?

a.       What hedge has God placed around us now, and who watches over us?

2.       All three say the vineyard was leased to vinedressers. Who has God “leased” his kingdom to now?

3.       All three mention the vintage time.  When is our vintage time—end of the world, or every day?

4.       Beating, stoning, killing, treating shamefully… Is it possible, in terms of the story, that the vinedressers didn’t recognize the servants?

a.       How will we be sure to recognize when God sends someone to us?

5.       It’s clear they recognized and rejected the son. And it’s clear, from our perspective, what the parable means. But the leaders are annoyed rather than convinced. Are they willfully evil, or are they just willfully not listening?

a.       Are there times when Christian churches have willfully refused to listen? When the Bible has been used to justify wrong-doing perhaps?

b.      How can we stay open to God’s prompting, without being open to Satan’s temptation?

c.       Jesus quotes the Old Testament. Read Psalm 118:19-24. Is their failure to understand the same as, or different from the disciples’ failure to understand? Why?

d.      So… don’t fall on the stone; don’t let the stone fall on you; what should we do with the “stone”?

6.       All three versions say the leaders feared the people. Only Matthew calls Jesus a prophet. But what is a prophet?

a.       The priority of the authorities was to protect Israel, but their purpose was protecting themselves. Are there times (in history or now) when churches have upheld God’s priorities but not God’s purposes?

b.      What prophets have spoken out against the churches in Christian times? By what authority?