25 “The baptism of John was from what source, from heaven or from men?” And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the people; for they all regard John as a prophet.” 27 And answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Debating God never turns out in our favor. Even the most learned, biblical scholars are no match for the One who is the originator of all wisdom and embodies it perfectly. The religious leaders’ challenge to Jesus’ authority was met with His masterful counter challenge. He had just retorted that He would answer their question if, and only if, they would answer His first. Reminds us of Job when after his long questioning of God, the Lord finally responds, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!” (Job 38:1-3).
So the Lord Jesus interrogated them, essentially asking by what authority John the Baptist called people to repentance and baptism. He knew the dilemma this would cause for those cloistered clerics—they stood to lose no matter what answer they gave. Either they would be in trouble with the people for going against their popular belief that John was heaven-sent, or else they would be lambasted by Jesus for not submitting to the message of John. Either way their moral leadership would be compromised. Such is the dilemma of insecure individuals who seek power over God’s people.
Now the Lord was never reluctant to speak the truth, but it would always be on His terms. He knew and understood the manipulative power of human words and reasoning, how even the framing of a question can control the outcome of a debate. He who spoke the universe into existence, who confounded human speech at the tower of Babel and who enables humans to miraculously speak other human languages not previously learned (i.e. the spiritual gift of tongues)—He could not be boxed into a corner by the verbal gymnastics the religious leaders used to gain power over the masses. Though they answered Jesus, “We do not know,” the reality is they were caught in their own game. They had hoped to snare Jesus in a transgression of insubordination against the chief priests and elders, those who had set themselves up as the ultimate authority of God on earth. They were playing hardball but were up against the One who invented the human reasoning which they perverted into a game.
Lord, I don’t want to play around with the Word of God, twisting it to justify my own power grab over others. Forgive me for when I do that; help me avoid it.
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