THE GOSPEL: Sincere Questions Get Answered!

And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him. (Luke 21:37-38) Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?” (Luke 20:1-2; Matthew 21:23; Mark 11:27-28)

But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: (Matthew 21:24; Luke 20:3; Mark 11:29) The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?” (Luke 20:4; Matthew 21:25; Mark 11:30) Jesus had asked a similar question to a group of followers before, which included Pharisees and lawyers.  John the Baptist knew his death was coming soon, so he ...sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Luke 7:19) After Jesus gave John's disciples confirmation, He went on to explain the Truth of what kind of baptism John performed, in which many of them had taken part.

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written:

‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.’ [Malachi 3:1]

For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:24-28; Matthew 11:7-11)

The multitudes that came out to be baptized by John, and he informed all of them, ...but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16) Jesus had proven beyond any doubt that He was the One mightier than John, Who was to come. And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. (Luke 7:29-30; see THE GOSPEL: THE GOSPEL: Good and Wise Servant, Well Done!)

So here this group of followers, including the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, had a dilemma; how do they respond to Jesus' question about John the Baptist? And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it was from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Luke 20:5-8; Matthew 21:25-27; Mark 11:31-33)

Wow!  Let this be a lesson to all of us, Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ [Deuteronomy 6:16] ” (Matthew 4:7) If we sincerely have questions and doubts, God will answer our prayers for answers.  But these religious leaders refused to believe the Truth, just as God had prophesied through Isaiah: “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. ... “Hear, you deaf; And look, you blind, that you may see. Who is blind but My servant, Or deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is blind as he who is perfect, And blind as the Lord’s servant? Seeing many things, but you do not observe; Opening the ears, but he does not hear.” (Isaiah 42:1, 18-20)

These deaf, blind religious leaders confronted Jesus, and He responded in the only way they could understand, He didn't answer them!  Let this be a lesson to all of us, to first, not be so hard hearted that we refuse to believe the Word of God, even when it is very obvious and clear.  And secondly, for those of us who do believe, don't get caught up in trying to prove the Word of God is True.  Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. (Proverbs 26:4-5) In other words, don't argue the Truth, just state the Truth!