Meditation

Hi there,

When his questioners are stumped by Jesus in today's passage, it isn't because they "don't know", but rather because they dare not say.​

Jesus' simple question easily exposes their double-minded cowardice, not because the question is clever but because he knows their hearts.​

After the tumultuous events we have covered this week, this final passage is as calm as it is conclusive. The chief priests and elders came looking for a showdown, but instead, Jesus calmly held up a mirror to reflect back to them the condition of their souls.

Today's text is Matthew 21:23-27

The Authority of Jesus Questioned

²³ Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”​

²⁴ Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”​

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”​

²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Encouragement

“The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.”

Isaiah 50:4​

A bonus encouragement today. Click on this link to hear Keith & Kristyn Getty's version of "Be Thou My Vision" on YouTube.

Andy

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