In the text above, Jesus is responding to the chief priests
who were questioning the authority that Jesus had to speaking such words and
performing these incredible miracles. They were basically calling Jesus out…questioning
where he got the nerve or permission to speak and act in this manner. Jesus
responds to their critical questioning in such a clever and judicious manner. He
asks them the question above in verses 31:33, and then waits while the chief
priests fumble in identifying a suitable response. In these verses, we see that
that Jesus has cornered them…They
discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will
ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men' . . ."
(They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So
they answered Jesus, "We don't know." It’s seems that suddenly the
chief priests may have lost a little steam in their misguided pursuit of “justice”.
What strikes me about Jesus’ response to the chief priests is that he displays
compassion and love towards those that directly oppose him. He could have
easily rebuked them as foolish, physically silenced them, or even ended their
very existence. The means of “retaliation” that Jesus could have taken towards
these guys is arguably infinite. Yet he did not respond in a manner that we, as
sinful beings, might respond or view as acceptable. Instead he only spoke the
Truth…and he spoke it in a manner that left the door open for the chief priests
to escape their ignorance and sinfulness. He was compassionate to them even as
they stood knee deep in their sinful behavior. Jesus was all about love during the time of
this questioning, is all about love today, and will be all about love tomorrow.
What a truly blessed people we are to call him Lord, Father, Friend. To God be the
glory!
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