Word@Work 134 - Mark 11:31-33
Published: Fri, 05/30/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 11:31-33 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven', he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men' . . . ." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (NIV)
Have you noticed that when people bombard God with questions, designed to put Him under their control; He has little to say. But when God puts men on the spot, they debate it furiously. In their attempt to control God, they find that they are trapped. If these religious lawyers admitted that John had God's authority to announce Jesus as Messiah, the case against Him would immediately collapse. If they said that John was not God's prophet, the crowd would lynch them.
In the end they take the coward's way out: they plead ignorance and hand the conversation to Jesus to explain what He thought. Instead of telling them the truth about John, Jesus reverted to his deal with the lawyers - if they would not answer His question, neither would He answer theirs.
The arrogance of religious man in trying to get God on the ropes, is on the increase again. You don't have to be a Richard Dawkins to take a pot shot at the Almighty. Just get into a position were you think that you are right, when you are wrong - whatever argument you use will have to put truth in the dock. But even from the dock, truth will identify the real criminal. Sometimes we think that we have to defend the truth - but truth defends itself, like a lion!
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the confidence I can have in Your Word of truth. Help me to be open to receive it and to live by it - with no anxiety towards that day when the Truth will return in glory. In His Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
Have you noticed that when people bombard God with questions, designed to put Him under their control; He has little to say. But when God puts men on the spot, they debate it furiously. In their attempt to control God, they find that they are trapped. If these religious lawyers admitted that John had God's authority to announce Jesus as Messiah, the case against Him would immediately collapse. If they said that John was not God's prophet, the crowd would lynch them.
In the end they take the coward's way out: they plead ignorance and hand the conversation to Jesus to explain what He thought. Instead of telling them the truth about John, Jesus reverted to his deal with the lawyers - if they would not answer His question, neither would He answer theirs.
The arrogance of religious man in trying to get God on the ropes, is on the increase again. You don't have to be a Richard Dawkins to take a pot shot at the Almighty. Just get into a position were you think that you are right, when you are wrong - whatever argument you use will have to put truth in the dock. But even from the dock, truth will identify the real criminal. Sometimes we think that we have to defend the truth - but truth defends itself, like a lion!
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the confidence I can have in Your Word of truth. Help me to be open to receive it and to live by it - with no anxiety towards that day when the Truth will return in glory. In His Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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