Mark 11:18  
When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching. (NLT)

The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching. (The Message)

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The leading priests and teachers of religious law were afraid of Jesus, not because they considered him the Son of God or some kind of prophet, but because the people were so amazed at his teaching. 

These leaders spent years, decades even, in getting to the places of authority they then held. That’s a whole lot of handshaking, back slapping, and baby kissing to get to the top of the heap. Then Jesus showed up, and immediately the common people who should have been in awe of the religious leaders were instead in awe of him. 

Jesus had no credentials. He didn’t attach himself to one of the leading rabbis. He didn’t apprentice at the shoulder of a master teacher. He didn’t align himself with any particular school of thought and engage in theological debates. 

Even so, everybody loved him. And what’s not to love? He was unfailingly kind. He spoke with authority, and not with authority he borrowed from someone else. He healed the sick and disabled. He loved little children. He raised people from the dead. 

This was a threat to the established order. Obviously, Jesus must die before he turned upside down the religious order like he turned upside down the tables of the merchants who were selling sacrifices and exchanging currency in the place established and dedicated to prayer. 

People with power are ever so resistant to being challenged and completely reluctant to lay down their robes and accouterments of grandeur. 

Jesus had to die so that those in control could remain in control. 

We can kneel to those in power, or we can stand amazed at Jesus.

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I will stand amazed at Jesus.

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Our Father, may all those who consider themselves powerful come to see what true power and authority look like and accomplish. Empower them to live and love like Jesus. Empower them to serve like Jesus. Amen.