Joel M Bradshaw

1One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. 2“Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”

3He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: 4John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

5They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”

7So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”

8Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”–Luke 20

Let’s break this down:

1. The religious elite felt threatened with Jesus and his message and wondered where He was getting this. People do this today. If you question something scientifically, they ask you where you got your degree.
2. These same religious leaders also previously felt threatened by the preaching of John the Baptist. So Jesus took it there.
3. Like a good counselor, Jesus asked a probing question, and let them work through the implications of their position.
4. The most powerful moment was verse 5. Indeed, why didn’t they believe John?
5. And John pointed to Jesus. So they were either going to take these ministries at face value or take them personally and feel threatened.
6. Anyone who reads the words of Jesus should feel challenged and convicted in their heart.
7. Rather than question His authority, lean in and ask God to do good work within you.–JMB