Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Matthew 21:23 – 27

This is probably what we would call the second day of the week, like our Tuesday.  The central question is, “Who is this Jesus?  Who gave him authority to do what he is doing in the Temple, upsetting everything?”  No one ever did what he did – upsetting a busy day of trade on the profitable days leading up to the Day of Atonement.  Those whose business was harmed by Jesus were horrified.  They could not imagine that the rulers of the Temple would do such a thing. The people who had come to change their money to get Temple money could not understand why anyone would find fault with what they were doing, they were changing Roman money for Temple money that was used for the affairs of the Temple, including payment for sacrifices to be offered in worship and for forgiveness.

So, the question was not “Why are you doing this?”  It was, rather, “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”  Their question was, “Who gave you authority to interrupt our usual business?”  They knew that the rulers of the Temple had authority over Temple affairs.  Had Jesus told them then and there that He was doing what He is doing because he is Lord of the Temple they would have stoned him, probably.  The money changers knew they were there because the temple authorities gave them official permission.  Where is this Jesus getting authority that is greater than the rulers of the Temple?  The answer to that is, of course, Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, the Redeemer and Lord, greater than the Temple in Jerusalem.  They were certainly not ready to even consider that.

The only question that matters is, “Who is this Jesus?”  He is not to dismissed as a miracle worker or a good man.  He is King of kings and Lord of lords!  There is no other.  I rest in that and know in my heart that Jesus Christ is my Lord, forever and ever.