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Jesus’ overturning the tables of the moneychangers in the temple has attracted the religious authorities’ attention and they now confront Jesus, demanding to know by what authority he has acted so brazenly. That’s what they want to know and it’s good for us to know as well. So, let’s go to it!

  • Who has the right, if anyone does, to tell you what to do? And by what authority do they exercise this right? In what contexts are you okay with being told what to do? In what contexts is it unacceptable?

  • When we “glorify” God, we’re announcing that God reigns in our lives—that he calls the shots. In what ways have you seen Jesus do this in the Bible? How are you doing this in your life right now?

  • Jesus opts to let his opponents silence themselves with their inner voices of political calculation. If this isn’t an overt example of authority, what is it an example of? Imagine how this story would read differently if Jesus stated where his authority came from. How would the story—and the story’s meaning—change?

Next Step: What authority do you possess and how do you wield it? Now think about how Jesus wields (or doesn’t wield) his authority in this story. Consider the difference between authority and influence: Which lasts longer and has a deeper impact?

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