Focus
As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.
Read
Mark 11:27-33
27 Again they came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him 28 and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” 31 They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?”—they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Reflect
The teachers of the Law try to trap Jesus with one of those “gotcha” questions. If Jesus answers that he is teaching by his own authority they could have him arrested on charges of being a false teacher. If Jesus answers and says that he is teaching under the authority of God they could arrest him for blasphemy. There seems to be no way out for Jesus. This is not the only time in scripture that the priests and scribes attempt to trap Jesus in a debate, but Jesus refuses to play their game. Jesus turns the table each time and shifts the discussion back to the Gospel.
I think there is a lesson for us in this story as to how we should deal with those that challenge our beliefs. Often those that are non-Christians try to debate or challenge us on their own terms. They like to ask us the hard questions such as the following:
How can you prove there is a God?
What about those that have never heard about Jesus?
Why does God allow suffering?
These are deep theological questions, but for the person that lacks faith, we struggle to provide a satisfactory answer. We are much better served to talk about our personal faith and how we have experienced God in our own life. Those that question us may never be convinced that Christ is Lord. However, they should leave the conversation knowing that we not only believe in Christ but that we have experienced Jesus in our own life. A personal witness story is very powerful and difficult for someone to find fault.
Pray
O Lord, you promise us that you will always give us the words to say on your behalf. I ask that you would give me strength to share my faith with others. Grant me wisdom as to what I should say when those occasions arise. Use me today for your glory. Amen
Go with God!
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