Mark 11:27-33 | I Corinthians 2:1-5
The religious leaders have put their faith in everything other than God. It’s not hard to do. We have many things that help us understand God - scripture, denomination, doctrine, music, human leaders. Any one of these things can become a distraction if we’re so concerned on maintaining it that we miss God right in front of us.
Mark 11:27-33
Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem again. As Jesus was walking around the temple, the chief priests, legal experts, and elders came to him. They asked, “What kind of authority do you have for doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?”
Jesus said to them, “I have a question for you. Give me an answer, then I’ll tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things. Was John’s baptism of heavenly or of human origin? Answer me.”
They argued among themselves, “If we say, ‘It’s of heavenly origin,’ he’ll say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But we can’t say, ‘It’s of earthly origin.’” They said this because they were afraid of the crowd, because they all thought John was a prophet. They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you what kind of authority I have to do these things.”
I Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I didn’t come preaching God’s secrets to you like I was an expert in speech or wisdom. I had made up my mind not to think about anything while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and to preach him as crucified. I stood in front of you with weakness, fear, and a lot of shaking. My message and my preaching weren’t presented with convincing wise words but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. I did this so that your faith might not depend on the wisdom of people but on the power of God.
Prayer
God,
There are many things I put my faith in. I confess.
The crowd. (Or what the crowd might do.)
My own ability.
Past accomplishments.
Time.
Lord, help me to concern my faith in you alone.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.