Futile Games

August 27

(Luke 20:2-8 NIV) ““Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” {3} He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, {4} John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?” {5} They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ {6} But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” {7} So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” {8} Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

(Psalm 18:39-42 NIV) “You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet. {40} You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. {41} They cried for help, but there was no one to save them -- to the LORD, but he did not answer. {42} I beat them as fine as dust borne on the wind; I poured them out like mud in the streets.”

The religious leaders and temple priests were more interested in maintaining their power base than in knowing God. When they asked Jesus where His authority came from, He did not answer them, but instead asked them a question about John’s baptism and John’s authority. The temple priests were caught in their own duplicity and had to fudge on their answer. They were made to look utterly foolish. They had wanted to demonstrate their authority in front of the crowd, but were forced to say that they could not tell whether someone was from God or not -- and if they could not judge regarding John, how could they judge regarding Jesus? Playing cat and mouse with God is foolish and futile. Trying to outsmart an omniscient God is a waste of time. If you will not answer Jesus, He will not answer you. Truth is a two way street. Ditch the games and begin to work for Him, not against Him. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day