Jesus and the Crisis of Authority

On the Tuesday, the third day of Holy Week, there was a crisis of authority in Jerusalem. The leaders of the Jews, furious that Jesus had entered the city as a king on Sunday and on Monday had driven the money changers from the temple as if it were his own personal property, confronted him as he entered the city with a question: 'By what authority do you do these things?'

In other words - 'Who gave you permission to say and do the things you're saying and doing?!'

Jesus' initial response seems anti-climactic - but the parable that follows leaves no doubt that Jesus has the authority to ride in as a king and expect the worship of this city and its people. He is the king and rightful heir of all the world, and he knows it.

On this final day of public ministry, Jesus gives one more opportunity for the Jewish leaders to surrender to his rule - he knows what they will choose instead, and he makes it all clear.