“They feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed” (Mark 11:32).
Jesus ended His teachings in the midst of intrigue. The religious rulers root turns asking Him questions with the intention of finding in His answers some solid arguments to take Him prisoner and to silence Him once and for all. Their hostile hearts were not seeking truth, but were bent on maintaining their position of power. Knowing their hypocrisy, Jesus answered them calmly. With great mastery He explained His true motives, without offending anyone’s conscience, with a courtesy not born from appearance but from His authentic refinement of character. A wonderful example to follow when we are attacked, questioned, or judged.
As Jesus walked through the temple, some priests, scribes, and elders approached Him. They accosted Him with an air of superiority. ‘By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” (Mark 11:28). Actually, these are essential questions for human conduct: that is the final authority in life? Who directs your actions, God or the world? The answer to these questions clarifies the reasons for our actions. Jesus’s answer was also direct. “I also will ask you one question . . . The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?” (Mark 11:29, 30). They didn’t expect Him to answer in this way. The baptism that John practiced was a new institution; he was not a priest, and he baptized in many places. But with what authority? Who had instituted this new rite? Was John’s innovation of God or of men? Jesus simplified the source of all authority since all human conduct responds to one of these two authorities.
The leaders realized that Jesus had put them in a dilemma; they had fallen into His trap. No matter how they answered, they would lose their peace and they would demonstrate what their interest was based on. lf they said that John the Baptist’s authority was from God, why had they not accepted and supported him? And if they said it was from mankind, they would offend the crowd of people who were waiting expectantly for the response of the “teachers” of the temple. ‘We do not know,” they answered. Jesus had left in evidence their dishonesty. They revealed that they did not really care whether John’s baptism was from mankind or from God. They were interested only in serving their own interests, and Jesus unmasked them.
People who reject Jesus like to ask tricky questions, but they are not interested in listening to the answers. Sincere seekers of the truth, however, will always find it.
Which authority influences your actions, my friend?
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Esteban Cortes
