In the Gospel of Luke, we don't have precise days for the events between Palm Sunday and Holy, or Maundy, Thursday. What we do have is two chapters of Jesus challenging the religous authorities, exhorting and teaching the people, and in general engaging in verbal debate with folks. If this were happening in current times, Jesus would be the key guest on all the television news talk shows.
The first encounter on the "one day" that Luke cites is titled "The Authority of Jesus Questioned" in my Bible's section heading. Jesus was in the Temple, most likely on the large platform and gathering area around the actual sanctuary, teaching the people, when the religious leaders came and questioned Jesus as to who gave him the authority to heal, forgive, and tell the Good News. Notice the power differential in this story; it's one that's repeated in most encounters Jesus has with others. Those in power are challenged by his charisma, his actions, his sway he has over people. He threatens the status quo; he threatens to disrupt the life they have so carefully crafted and to which they will go to any extreme to maintain, even the extreme act of murder.
There's no denying that Jesus threatens to disrupt our lives when we take him seriously, when we follow him and when we give our lives over to him. What about following Jesus wholly and completely this week is threatening for you? Where do you need to acknowledge the authority of Jesus in your own life to be set free in God's love?
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