²³ And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”  (Matthew 21:23 ESV)

We can speak of things either based upon our own confidence with authority or if we are given authority to speak. Jesus was teaching both in personal confidence with authority and was also given authority to do so by His Father.

Tuesday (Matthew 21:23-46, Mark 11:27-30, Luke 20:1-16, 19-21): Jesus rebukes the religious leaders, answering their questions and speaking parables.

When we know deeply about something we will have confidence in what we speak. Some are given authority to speak on behalf of a group, organization or business but may lack personal confidence to do so well. When we have both, as in our God given edict to spread the Gospel, we speak with power. Confident in our knowledge and our Lord’s saving grace and power.

Reflect on: Can you speak with power and authority about God’s saving grace? Do you?