John 2:13-22, Common English Bible

The word “authority” is a strong word and it’s filled with lots of meaning.  When we hear the word “authority” there’s a certain force about that word.  There may be even a certain intimidation about that word.  We talk about the authorities and we have all sorts of emotions that get stirred up inside us…maybe a sense of awe, or maybe even a sense of fear.  The word “authority” denotes permission.  It denotes privilege.  It denotes power.  It denotes rule, control, and influence.  When someone has authority, that means they’re on top of other people.  They have responsibility beyond the norm.  They are able to determine things, to decide things, to render judgments, to wield certain rights and privileges.

But there is one who has authority that surpasses all other authorities.

Jesus believed in Himself above all other authorities.
It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  He found in the temple those who were selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as those involved in exchanging currency sitting there.  He made a whip from ropes and chased them all out of the temple, including the cattle and the sheep.  He scattered the coins and overturned the tables of those who exchanged currency.  He said to the dove sellers, “Get these things out of here!  Don’t make my Father’s house a place of business.”   John 2:13-16

Jesus boldly reclaimed His authority.
Then the Jewish leaders asked him, “By what authority are you doing these things?  What miraculous sign will you show us?”  Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple and in three days I’ll raise it up.”   John 2:18-19

True authority supersedes even death.
The Jewish leaders replied, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in three days?”  But the temple Jesus was talking about was his body.  After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered what he had said, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.   John 2:20-22

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,
The Authority of Jesus Lives in You and Me!