27 Jesus and his disciples arrived again in Jerusalem. He was walking in the temple courtyard. Then the chief priests came to him. The teachers of the law and the elders came too. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “Who gave you authority to do this?” 29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 Was John’s baptism from heaven? Or did it come from human authority? Tell me!” 31 They talked to each other about it. They said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But what if we say, ‘From human authority’?” They were afraid of the people. Everyone believed that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Jesus said, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things either.”

They ask a question about Jesus’ authority, but it’s not because they want to know the answer. Jesus has already said and done more than enough to make it clear. But clearly they don’t accept that authority.

So what’s the purpose of this question (and the one about taxes in 12:14-15)?

They have already decided to kill Jesus. But they need the crowd to want it too. (It seems they have no authority.) So they are looking for Jesus to say something that they can work up into outrage. Jesus sees their hearts. He knows that dying (for us) is his purpose, but this is not the right time yet.

His response is interesting. It exposes their intent, but avoids the confrontation they are looking for.

We all come across people like these: looking for an argument rather than the truth. I’ve fallen into that trap before: The pointless argument that diverts focus away from their heart and God’s heart for them. Winning it only satisfies my pride.

Jesus gives me a better response: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) “Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11)

Jesus, as always, your way is better than mine. I choose to walk your way today. Holy Spirit, speak to my heart. Fill what I say today with your grace, and wisdom and truth.

Written by David Cornell

11 As they all approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his disciples. 2 He said to them, “Go to the village ahead of you. Just as you enter it, you will find a donkey’s colt tied there. No one has ever ridden it. Untie it and bring it here. 3 Someone may ask you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ If so, say, ‘The Lord needs it. But he will send it back here soon.’ ” 4 So they left. They found a colt out in the street. It was tied at a doorway. They untied it. 5 Some people standing there asked, “What are you doing? Why are you untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to. So the people let them go. 7 They brought the colt to Jesus. They threw their coats over it. Then he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their coats on the road. Others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those in front and those in back shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 118:25,26) 10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courtyard. He looked around at everything. But it was already late. So he went out to Bethany with the 12 disciples.

How glorious it is to read of Jesus being rightly worshipped. Yes, He was about to be rejected, but for a moment here we see everyday life halt for the King of Kings. For a moment the most important thing was to honour Jesus. What a beautiful taste of what is to come when Jesus shall return and every knee will bow!

The other thing that strikes me is how prepared God is. Jesus sends the disciples to fetch the donkey and He tells them where and how to secure it. There is already a good plan because God has organised it. I also love that even though the task was simple, Jesus sent two people. Jesus was not solely focused on getting the task done, He cared that His followers had company and encouragement. I find I can do so much more and face the unknown confidently when I have a partner, and I imagine it was the same for these two men.

Thank you God that because of you we have reason to be joyful. We can look forward to the time when all will be put to right, and in this present moment we can be assured that you have a plan and it is good! Bless you God.

Written by Bethany Waugh

35 James and John came to Jesus. They were the sons of Zebedee. “Teacher,” they said, “we would like to ask you for a favor.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right hand in your glorious kingdom. Let the other one sit at your left hand.” 38 “You don’t know what you’re asking for,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup of suffering I drink? Or can you go through the baptism of suffering I must go through?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink. And you will go through the baptism I go through. 40 But it is not for me to say who will sit at my right or left hand. These places belong to those they are prepared for.” 41 The other ten disciples heard about it. They became angry at James and John. 42 Jesus called them together. He said, “You know about those who are rulers of the Gentiles. They hold power over their people. Their high officials order them around. 43 Don’t be like that. Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant. 44 And anyone who wants to be first must be the slave of everyone. 45 Even the Son of Man did not come to be served. Instead, he came to serve others. He came to give his life as the price for setting many people free.”

How striking is it, the absolute self-assurance and boldness of James and John; ‘Jesus, do whatever we ask, yeah?’ I don’t think I’ve ever been so brash with Jesus. But even more surprising is Jesus’ immediate response; ‘what do you ask of me?’ It doesn’t feel like, to me, Jesus is humouring these two. He genuinely is interested, curious, as to what they want. Even if they’re being brash about the asking. Ultimately, Jesus turns this whole episode into an opportunity to teach humility, and true leadership.

I feel, more often than not, that I have to sanitise myself and my requests before bringing them to Jesus. James and John don’t even bother. Jesus not only copes with their arrogance, but draws out their desires, and then moves into teaching them what true, godly, and Christ-like ambition really looks like in action – humble service, preferring others above oneself, self-sacrifice.

Jesus, help me come to you as I am, but be prepared to hear you as you teach and train me into becoming all you want me to become. Amen.

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him. He fell on his knees before Jesus. “Good teacher,” he said, “what must I do to receive eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good except God. 19 You know what the commandments say. ‘Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not be a false witness. Do not cheat. Honor your father and mother.’ ” (Exodus 20:12–16; Deuteronomy 5:16–20) 20 “Teacher,” he said, “I have obeyed all those commandments since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “You are missing one thing,” he said. “Go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.” 22 The man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he was very rich. 23 Jesus looked around. He said to his disciples, “How hard it is for rich people to enter God’s kingdom!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter God’s kingdom! 25 Is it hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? It is even harder for someone who is rich to enter God’s kingdom!” 26 The disciples were even more amazed. They said to each other, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With people, this is impossible. But not with God. All things are possible with God.” 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus replied. “Has anyone left home or family or fields for me and the good news? 30 They will receive 100 times as much in this world. They will have homes and families and fields. But they will also be treated badly by others. In the world to come they will live forever. 31 But many who are first will be last. And the last will be first.”

In this intriguing story, I notice that there is a man who has passion to serve and submit to Christ. He runs up to Jesus and kneels (a submissive act) before him. He recognises that Jesus is wise and he recognises that Jesus has the answers for what he thinks he wants.

As the story continues, it seems like this guy would make a model Christian – he demonstrates self-control and has managed to follow a challenging list of moral standards since his youth.

But then Jesus puts his finger on something that sits below the surface. A less obvious behaviour. Something that this man, when really pressed, puts in a place of importance in his life above God. The bible sometimes uses the word idol for this stuff.

The longer I think about it, the more I can see myself in the rich young man. I hope that I would never truly turn away from Jesus because I wasn’t able to leave something behind that he has put his finger on, but all the same, I find myself bowing before him, worshipping him with my words and actions, and then still feeling like I struggle to let go of my own idols of productivity, and the appearance of being able to manage a million things and stay on top of them.

While this passage looks like it is about money, it is really about the things that we can put between us and Jesus.

Lord, keep showing me where I fall short in my submission to and honour of you. Help me to lay it all down at the foot of the cross, that I might serve you fully and unencumbered.

Written by Ps. Justin Ware

10 Jesus left that place and went into the area of Judea and across the Jordan River. Again crowds of people came to him. As usual, he taught them. 2 Some Pharisees came to test Jesus. They asked, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife?” 3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied. 4 They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a letter of divorce and send her away.” 5 “You were stubborn. That’s why Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ (Genesis 1:27) 7 ‘That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. 8 The two of them will become one.’ (Genesis 2:24) They are no longer two, but one. 9 So no one should separate what God has joined together.” 10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “What if a man divorces his wife and gets married to another woman? He commits adultery against her. 12 And what if she divorces her husband and gets married to another man? She commits adultery.”

In today’s church, particularly in the West, anyone who speaks on verses 10–12 is likely to be called cruel, unfeeling, unforgiving, exclusive…  So many people are bruised by the whole experience of marriage breakdown that to raise the topic, let alone to take a strong line on it, seems almost ‘unchristian’.  Yet Jesus is clear that He sees divorce in a very dim light.  Why so?  Because marriage is not a thing of convenience, it is not a mere social construct.  Marriage reflects God’s love for His people and as such should never be entered into lightly, nor fulfilled with anything less than 100% commitment.

Some object stating they grew ‘out of love’ – which reflects the nature of the commitment the couple did not establish.  Others try their level best and the relationship breaks down.  It is in this light that we read and sense the heart of Jesus – that He is for people and wants the absolute best for them, which means if they are married they should remain so – but they must together work on their marriage – it is NEVER simply one person’s fault the breakdown of a marriage.

Marriage as the Bible describes it is a holy relationship that reflects God’s great sacrificial love for His people.

Father, help us to uphold marriage in the light that you would have us to and so reflect your love and glory.

Written by Ps. Richard Botta