Wednesday Of Holy Week Devotional |The Authority Of Jesus

As we enter the final stretch of Holy Week, tension in Jerusalem is rising, and the cross is drawing near. Today, we meet Jesus walking boldly through the Temple courts, fully aware of what lies ahead. He is confronted by the very people who will soon plot His death—religious leaders clinging tightly to their power.

In this moment, we see a clash of kingdoms: human authority versus divine authority, pride versus truth. The religious leaders question Jesus, but not to learn—they question Him to trap Him.

Yet Jesus, calm and composed, responds in a way that exposes their hearts.

This passage reminds us that acknowledging Jesus’ authority isn’t just about our words—it’s about surrendering every part of our lives.

This Holy Wednesday devotional is taken from my Bible study, Redeemed By The Cross (available on Amazon and in the Scriptural Grace Bible Study Library),

As you reflect on today’s scripture, examine your own heart: Do you resist Jesus’ authority like the religious leaders, or do you bow before Him in faith?

wednesday of holy week devotional picture of cross in colour purple

Wednesday Of Holy Week Devotional |The Authority Of Jesus

We are now in the final days of Jesus’s public ministry. As He walks through the Temple courts, He is confronted by a group of religious leaders—chief priests, scribes, and elders.

These were the same people who would soon condemn Him to death.

Read Mark 11:26-33:

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. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” 29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me! 31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) 33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

The Authority Of Jesus

They ask: “By what authority are You doing these things?”

(Mark 11:28)

But these leaders were not asking out of genuine curiosity. Their hearts were hard—they saw Jesus’s miracles, wisdom, and power, yet refused to acknowledge His authority.

Instead of answering them directly, Jesus asks a question:

“Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?” (Mark 11:30)

This put the religious leaders in a dilemma:

If they said John’s baptism was from God, then they would have to admit they rejected God’s messenger.
If they said John’s baptism was just human, the crowd would turn against them because they believed John was a prophet.

So they gave a weak, evasive answer:

“We do not know.” (Mark 11:33)

And Jesus refused to answer their question in return.

The Blindness of the Religious Leaders

The religious leaders’ refusal to answer revealed their willful blindness.
They had seen Jesus perform miracles.
They had heard Him teach with divine wisdom.
They had witnessed His authority over demons, sickness, and nature.

Yet, they still rejected Him.

“The people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority,

and not as the scribes.” Mark 1:22

Did you spot the difference? The ordinary people recognized Jesus' authority—but the religious leaders rejected it out of pride and fear of losing their power.

Devotional

What About Us?

The question the religious leaders asked Jesus is one we must ask ourselves today:

Do we truly acknowledge Jesus’ authority in our lives?
Are there areas of our lives where we resist His leadership?
Do we say we trust Jesus but live as if we are in control?

Lent & Easter Journey

Jesus’ authority was challenged, yet He never wavered.

The cross was the ultimate act of submission to God’s authority.
As Easter approaches, let’s reflect on whether we fully submit to Jesus’ authority in our lives.

Today, let’s surrender every part of our lives to Him.

Challenge

Spend time in prayer today, surrendering every area of your life to Jesus.

Ask God to show you any areas where you are holding back.

Reflect on how you respond to Jesus’ authority—do you submit with faith, or resist with fear?

Let Jesus lead every part of your life, not just the comfortable areas.

Prayer

Father, I acknowledge Jesus as the true authority over my life. I don’t want to be like the religious leaders who rejected Him—I want to fully surrender to Him. Show me areas where I am holding back, and give me the faith to trust You completely. Help me live in a way that reflects Your authority and brings You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Further Study

Philippians 2:9-11 – At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

Colossians 1:16-17 – Jesus holds all things together; He is before all things.

Matthew 28:18 – Jesus declared, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."

Romans 12:1-2 – Offer your life as a living sacrifice—this is true worship.

Luke 6:46 – Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Redeemed By The Cross - Lent/Easter Devotional Study for Women

You can get the full 43-day devotional in one place by purchasing the book on Amazon or grabbing the PDF version here. It’s a beautiful way to prepare your heart and reflect deeply on the meaning of the cross and resurrection. It comes with plenty of space to journal and prayer prompts!

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