Scripture: And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it was from. Luke 20:5-7
Observation: In attempting to trap Jesus about his authority, Jesus turns it around with a question about John the Baptist's authority. There is one very interesting outstanding implication about this, which is ... why didn't the Pharisees believe in the work of John?
John's message was simple - 'repent and be baptized for Messiah is coming.' There is nothing in this opposed to the teaching of the Pharisees. Turning away from sin is what Pharisees judged others for, and the eventual coming of Messiah was understood scripturally by the Jews. Yet the Pharisees seemingly didn't believe John, and logically the likely reason is that ... the coming of Messiah would undermine their authority.
Given this is their opposition to Jesus, the conclusion about the Pharisees is simple. They actively resisted the idea of Messiah because it negatively impacted their position. Their livelihood was based on the scriptures, and yet they wanted some of the scriptures to not be true due to the potential change to how they lived.
Application: Are there any parts of the bible I resist because, if they were absolutely true, I would be forced to live differently? Probably. I fully believe in the laws and precepts and know I don't obey them well, but that is a failure to obey, not a rejection of the truth. What about ... giving to the poor and widows. How often have I rationalized that this is problematic since - for example - it is difficult to know if a homeless person will use the money for drugs? Do I fail to help the needy because doing so may upset the structure of my life?
Just yesterday my son and I talked about busses and disliking them, even if they represent transportation for low income people. So I put the aesthetics of Main Street ahead of people. However, to put a lesson from the Holy Spirit on this ... I choose to disregard certain words of the Lord because they are inconvenient for my lifestyle. Ouch, that's a biting statement.
Prayer: Lord, please guide me in repentance from this lesson today. I believe in all of your word, help me to live into all of it. There are confusing issues, but there is also clear need of others where I can help. May my heart be softened to serve others out of your love and not my own. Amen.
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