DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HONEST QUESTIONS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – HONEST QUESTIONS

"Now when He came to the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, 'By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?' ….. And He said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.' "  (Matthew 21:23, 27b)

The Jewish religious leaders were constantly challenging the Lord Jesus.  On this occasion, they were challenging His authority to teach and perform miracles.  But Jesus did not deem it necessary to defend Himself.  His actions should have been enough evidence to convince a rational person that His authority came from God.  Who else could heal, exorcize demons, and perform other miracles except by the power of God?  But in their state of denial, nothing would convince them.  Jesus recognized this and did not try to persuade them that He was from God.

At times, I have been challenged in my faith by unbelievers.  I have succumbed to the temptation to try to rationally explain why I believe what I believe.  But when people don't want to honestly know, my efforts have been in vain.  They still remain unbelievers.  Perhaps the model Jesus gave is the best. Jesus Himself told His disciples, " 'Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces' " (Matthew 7:6).   To those who are simply trying to argue, it is wasted effort to try to convince them of the truth of the Gospel.

We still need to be open to opportunities to explain our faith.  We are to be ready to give an answer to those who ask about the hope that we have in Christ (I Peter 3:15).  But Jesus dealt differently with Nicodemus, who came to Jesus privately at night to ask Jesus about spiritual things (John 3), than the other scribes and Pharisees who only wanted to argue.  Jesus answered his questions with no hint of reservation because He perceived an open mind and heart.  

It is not that Jesus wants to hide the truth from people.  But it takes spiritual discernment to properly answer spiritual questions.  

Love,  Dad