Mark 11: Authority

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem. He was already very famous. He is welcomed as the Messiah, the son of David by the people of Jerusalem. He goes to the temple and he rebukes the commerce over there kicking over the tables of the bankers (where money was exchanged). We read:

27-28 Then when they were back in Jerusalem once again, as they were walking through the Temple, the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders came up and demanded, “Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?”

The high priests were in charge of the Temple. For them, Jesus was being very abusive. The high priests saw themselves as representatives of God on earth. For Jesus they were bad stewards, for them Jesus was spoiling their honor and authority.
Jesus preached and made many signs. Was it so difficult to understand that his authority came from the Lord? The religious leaders were taking advantage of their position. To recognize Jesus as the Messiah meant to accept Jesus as the leader and abandon their own interests.
Today is not so different. It is difficult to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, as the one who reigns because it also means to be submissive to Jesus.