On the Spot
Luke 20:1-8
Why didn't Jesus answer the question about his authority?
Photo by Frank Eiffert on Unsplash
One day, as he was teaching the people in the temple and telling the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders and said to him, "Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?" He answered them, "I will also ask you a question, and you tell me: Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" They discussed it with one another, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Why did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'Of human origin,' all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet." So they answered that they did not know where it came from. Then Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." - Luke 20:1-8
This is an easy one, right? He couldn't tell the truth without being accused of blasphemy. So, he bargained with them, and they failed.
Jesus took advantage of the setup. They tried to get him to reveal who he was in front of a crowd, so Jesus used the crowd to put them on the spot.
That was a very clever move, but he really had no choice. He couldn't lie, and he wasn't ready to be arrested and killed. He needed to humiliate them for asking the question they asked.
How do we feel about that move?
While we may support Jesus dancing around the issue and refusing to answer a direct question, we don't feel the same way about our leaders and other politicians. We not only want the truth. We demand it.
But look at this again.
If someone or some group backs us into a corner demanding to know if we are Christians, we would feel we have to be honest, and subject ourselves to persecution. Christians are faced with this every day, just as the Jews are.
We don't feel we can come back with a challenge the way Jesus did, but what he did gives us an example to follow when we are challenged about our faith or anything. We can find a way to avoid answering by seeking something embarrassing in return.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Jesus was telling us something there as well.
He told his followers that they will be persecuted for their belief and that he will give them an advocate, The Holy Spirit, to put words in their mouths.
Do you believe that? Can you believe God will help you in times of trouble?
I grew up believing we are to suffer for our faith, and we could be martyred like the saints. I don't think that is God's plan for us.
I believe He wants us to survive the onslaught. If we can avoid the conflict, great, but if we can't, we need to think and pray for God's help.
Maybe we should start now.
More to come...