Questions

It is good to see Jesus fight back against the pharisees. Often he responded to their trap with something they hadn't thought of. And this situation may be the same. But he put the ball on their court. They were clearly trying to force him to damage his own reputation. But he wouldn't do it for them. Not if they were not willing to put their reasons out their for the public.

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"

Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism—was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!"

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."
Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." -Mark 11:27-33

Silence communicates volumes. Asking a good question can sometimes really relieve stress in a tough situation. Jesus seems to master both. (Don't worry, this week he isn't backing away from declaring himself God's son. In the next verses he tells a parable that makes it clear by which authority he acts.) He is not someone they can control or manipulate. He doesn't let the difficult situation distort his message or his actions.

Let us be moved by Jesus not to fear tough situations, where the only options seem to be bad ones. Let us ask questions and focus our thinking on God's truth. Let us not try to defend our honor or give ourselves a good name in situations where the important thing is not to let the truth be distorted. Let us honor the authority of the one who shares it with Jesus.

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