What Authority?

They came again to Jerusalem. As He was walking in the temple complex, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came and asked Him, "By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority to do these things?"

Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question, then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things, "Was John's baptism from heaven or from men" answer Me?"

They began to argue among themselves: "If we say, 'From heaven, ' then He will say, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say 'from men,' -they were afraid of the crowd, because everyone thought that John was a genuine prophet. So they answered Him, "We don't know." 

And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." Mark 11:27-33

Ever been caught out with the words you write or speak? I was today. I had written an article on Facebook about a young boy alone in the Skate Park across from my office. A man challenged me saying: if you really care for the boy why did you put his photo on Facebook? Fortunately I had used an image from the Google log of images. So I was able to reply that I had not done so. Next the man challenged me: if you care so much why didn't you speak to the boy? I had spoken to the boy and he was shy, so I didn't press him. This I declared and thanked the man. He was right to question me, I had not given enough information.

However, Jesus had given plenty of information. He had done only good to the people. Yes He had driven the money hangers and stall holders out of the Court of the Gentiles, but that was all. I can see why they were offended. But they let the offence build, causing them to stumble and kill their only hope and damn themselves to an eternity without Him.