質問耶穌的權柄
（太21‧23－27；路20‧1－8）
27他們又來到耶路撒冷。耶穌在殿裏行走的時候，祭司長和文士並長老進前來， 28問他說：「你仗着甚麼權柄做這些事？給你這權柄的是誰呢？」 29耶穌對他們說：「我要問你們一句話，你們回答我，我就告訴你們我仗着甚麼權柄做這些事。 30約翰的洗禮是從天上來的？是從人間來的呢？你們可以回答我。」 31他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來』，他必說：『這樣，你們為甚麼不信他呢？』 32若說『從人間來』，卻又怕百姓，因為眾人真以約翰為先知。」 33於是回答耶穌說：「我們不知道。」耶穌說：「我也不告訴你們我仗着甚麼權柄做這些事。」
今天我們要講的故事來自馬可福音11章的最後一段。耶穌的權柄被質疑。這個故事與之前的串聯在一起，耶穌潔淨聖殿，把那些做生意的人趕出去的事情，大大得罪了宗教領袖。因為這一個斂財的手段被耶穌取消了，這些人就沒辦法再靠這個方式來賺錢。當然，這些祭司是非常不高興的，所以他們代表議會來問耶穌說：「你憑誰的權柄作這事？」
這個時候問題非常刁鑽。如果耶穌回答是他自己的話，他們不用再查問耶穌其他的事情，直接說你這個人是自大或者製造動亂的反動分子就可以把耶穌逮捕。如果耶穌說他的權柄出自於上帝，那他們就會用褻瀆的話語來攻擊他。所以，無論如何，耶穌回答的時候，他們都有辦法能夠抓住耶穌，這是一個把耶穌置於兩難的問題。
然而，耶穌以他的智慧作出回應。他總是點出事情的本質，而不是與人爭論口舌。耶穌回答說：「你們告訴我，約翰施洗的工作是從天上來的，還是從人間來的呢？」
耶穌把同樣的問話技巧反問給這些人，讓他們去回答。如果他們承認了施洗約翰所做的事情是來自於上帝（因為有一些法利賽人跟文士也跑去找約翰求他幫他們施洗），那麼他們自己就承認了約翰所做的事情是來自於上帝的。那麼耶穌只要回答說「他說過，他是那為我預備道路的人，你們為什麼不信他呢？」。如果這個時候他們說施洗約翰和只不過是一個普通人的話，那麼他們就會陷入很多的麻煩。因為當時的百姓有很多人已經深深相信約翰就是一個先知，他確實是那個要來彌賽亞的先驅。他們知道，如果這個時候把施洗約翰的功勞給否認掉，他們可能會得罪很多的百姓，甚至會引起動亂。所以他們被耶穌的問題卡住了，他們不願意承認真理，但又不能夠承認自己的錯誤，只能夠退而求其次地說，「我們不知道。」
這個時候，耶穌也簡單地說，「我也不告訴你們我的權柄來自於哪裡。」
看了這個故事，我們就會發現一些令人覺得很諷刺的事情。這些議會、文士，拉比是所謂的當權派和高知識分子，他們應該是正確地教導上帝的話語，鼓勵人民行善，讓以色列人成為一個更好的群體。但是這些議員、文士、法利賽人卻藉著手中的權柄和地位行不義之事，壓榨人民，欺負百姓，甚至抵擋真理。因為他們習慣了的方式，他們無法面對耶穌的詢問和話語。他們越跟耶穌爭論，就越發現自己無法找到道理支持自己的立場。所以他們不斷地在真理面前敗退，在他們認為的真理辯論中，他們漸漸地只能轉向暴力，最後用不擇手段的方式除滅耶穌。
但就算是這樣，他們終究無法掩蓋真理，無法壓制真理。千百年後，他們的名聲仍然在聖經中被記載，被傳揚給後代。
當人面對真理時，其實有幾種可能的反應。首先，是在真理面前認罪悔改並轉向真理，這是最好的，但也是最難的。因為人可能因為自己的地位、權利、名聲而捨不得放下，不願意承認真理的正確性，所以選擇第二種：而用各種方法來詭辯，試圖妥協，試圖保護自己在地上的一切，就像這些文士和法利賽人一樣。
而當人發現罪惡終究無法和真理妥協的時候，就只能轉向想要去消滅真理，掩蓋真理。我今天的世界不也是如此嗎？
所以我們看到，當我們抵擋真理時，暫時可能看起來能夠面對，但長遠來說一定會受到責備，一定會受到真理的光照而漸漸被顯明出來。一個謊言需要用另外十個謊言來圓，願我們都有智慧去跟隨真理，而不是因著地上的緣故而隨波逐流。
感謝各位的聆聽，我們明天繼續來聊耶穌用更清楚明瞭的方式比喻他和世界的關係。明天來講的是原戶的比喻。
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him.
“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
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’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
The story we are discussing today comes from the final section of Mark 11. Jesus' authority is questioned. This story is linked with what happened earlier when Jesus cleansed the temple, driving out those who were conducting business. This action greatly offended the religious leaders because Jesus put an end to their profit-making scheme, leaving them unable to earn money in that way. Naturally, the priests were displeased, so they, representing the council, approached Jesus and asked, "By what authority are you doing these things?"
This question was cunningly crafted. If Jesus answered that he acted on his own authority, they could accuse him of arrogance or being a troublemaker and arrest him. If he claimed his authority came from God, they would blaspheme against him. Thus, no matter how Jesus responded, they had a way to capture him, placing Jesus in a dilemma.
However, Jesus responded with wisdom. He always pinpointed the essence of the matter rather than engaging in verbal disputes. Jesus replied, "Tell me, was John’s baptism from heaven or of human origin?"
Jesus employed the same questioning technique to them, allowing them to answer. If they admitted that John's actions were from God (as some Pharisees and teachers of the law had also sought John's baptism), they would acknowledge that John's deeds were from God. Then Jesus could simply respond, "Then why didn’t you believe him?" If, at this point, they claimed that John's baptism was merely of human origin, they would find themselves in trouble. Because at that time, many people deeply believed that John was a prophet and indeed the forerunner of the Messiah. They knew that denying John's work might offend many people and even lead to unrest. So they were stuck with Jesus' question, unwilling to acknowledge the truth but unable to admit their mistake, and could only say, "We don’t know."
At this point, Jesus simply said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
Upon examining this story, we find some ironic elements. These council members, scribes, and Pharisees were supposed to be the authorities and intellectuals, tasked with correctly teaching God's word and encouraging people to do good, thereby making the Israelites a better community. However, these politicians, scribes, and Pharisees abused their authority and status to commit injustices, exploit the people, oppress the common folk, and even resist the truth. Because they were so accustomed to their ways, they couldn't face Jesus' questions and words. The more they argued with Jesus, the more they realized they had no grounds to stand on. Thus, they continually retreated in the face of truth. When they felt their truth was challenged, they gradually turned to violence, eventually resorting to any means necessary to eliminate Jesus.
Yet, they ultimately couldn't suppress the truth. Even after thousands of years, their names are still recorded in the Bible and their stories are proclaimed to future generations.
When people confront the truth, there are several possible reactions. Firstly, it's best to acknowledge and repent in the face of truth, and turn towards it. However, this is also the most difficult. People may find it hard to let go of their status, power, or reputation, and be unwilling to admit the correctness of the truth. Instead, they may choose the second option: to resort to various means of deception, attempting to compromise and protect everything they have on earth, just like these scribes and Pharisees.
And when people realize that sin cannot compromise with the truth, they can only turn to want to eliminate the truth, cover up the truth. Isn't this also the case in today's world?
So, we see that when we resist the truth, it may temporarily seem possible to face it, but in the long run, it will definitely be blamed and illuminated by the light of truth. A lie needs ten other lies to cover it up. May we all have the wisdom to follow the truth, rather than being swept away by the world for earthly reasons.
Thank you all for listening. Tomorrow, let's continue to talk about Jesus' relationship with the world in a clearer way through the parable of the tenants.
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