April 6, 2021 - I invite you to take a look at Matthew Chapter 21 versers 23-27 this morning. In this passage, we see Jesus entering “the temple,” and the religious leaders came to meet him. He starts to teach. We are not told his exact words, but we can assume that they would not contradict what he has taught before. He has taught lessons on faith in him, the Son of God, alone. Teachings about child-like mustard seed faith.
This was contradictory to the teachings of the religious leaders. They ask where Christ gets his authority. Who gave you this authority? Do we have an answer?
Christ responds with his own question. Verse 24-25 reads, “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. 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?’”
This was a problematic question for the religious leaders, both politically and theologically. If they said from heaven, then they would need to explain why they haven’t believed him. On the other hand, if they say from man, the crowds might turn on them since the people believed he was a prophet.
The answer the leaders come up with is that they don’t know. These men of great knowledge and wisdom confess that they do not know. Because of this, Christ does not answer their question, and we see later on that he begins to teach some more.
This text describes an encounter between blind leaders and Christ who can bring sight to the blind. They were not given hearts and minds to understand Christ, or they’ve begun to learn but didn’t want it to be true. We may be tempted to shake our heads at these supposed men of God but let us cautious in realize that if it were not for the grace of God, we would be like them. By the divine authority of Christ, your sins have been forgiven Christian. Rejoice.
Wynter is an Elder at Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church. Find out more at MariposaChurch.org or email him at wynter@mariposachurch.org. Visit Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church on Facebook.
Pastor’s Corner is a column from Pastor Wynter Sturtevant III of the Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church.
The Church has moved locations, services are now held at the Bootjack Stompers Hall (located at 4662 Morman Bar Crossing) across from the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.
Time of service is at 10:00 A.M. on Sunday.
I am happy to announce that MRBC has its own sermon podcast. Please check it out by clicking on the link below or searching MRBC Sermons on iTunes. New sermons will be posted every Wednesday.
https://mariposachurch.transistor.fm/episodes
Note: Area churches interested in submitting Articles of Faith are welcome to contact us.
Please email the Sierra Sun Times at sst@goldrushcam.com for more information.
