The police wanted to search my house. A friend of my daughter’s had run away from home, and her mother had told the police she might be staying with my daughter. I told them clearly and honestly that she was not in the house and I did not know where she was. When they asked to come in and search I told them to show me a warrant. I had nothing to hide, but once we surrender our rights, it is hard to get them back. They left and did not return. I tell this story to illustrate that when we asked someone to prove their authority it is because we do not like what they have done or are intending to do.

“The Jews” that asked Jesus to prove his authority revealed that they were unhappy with his actions. There was no sign he could have shown that would have been enough to convince them to let his action stand. They were not all of the Jews, they were the ones who had been hurt financially, politically and socially by Christ’s actions. No matter what he said or did they were going to reestablish the money changers and the livestock traders in the temple as soon as he left the area. They had no desire to do what was right, their only interest was self-interest. While he was in Jerusalem at the Passover festival Jesus did many signs, but none of them were enough to impress “The Jews,” (those in charge of the temple corruption), or prove that He had authority to end their wickedness. These same Jews would three years later crucify Him. Within those three years Jesus raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, healed the lame and delivered the demon possessed. In spite of His many signs, The Jews put him to death.

The wicked do not fear God or His law; God’s authority is worthless to them. Christians know that all righteous actions are authorized and carried out by the authority of God.