Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  Matthew 21:23–27             
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (NRSV)

Reflection
In this passage, the religious leaders question Jesus’s authority and he, in turn, questions theirs. This is a powerful question, not just in the passage, but for each of us to ask ourselves.

Who am I following?

I strive to allow God to have authority and guide me.

However, if I’m honest with myself, who am I actually looking to for authority in my day-to-day life? Whose approval am I seeing?

Prayer
Dear Lord, please help me to listen to and follow you. Help me allow you to guide my actions. Amen.

Written by Cara Crosby, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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