The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?

 

 Then they came again to Jerusalem.  And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.  And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things?  And who gave You this authority to do these things?"  But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?  Answer Me."  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'" -- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.  So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know."  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

 

- Mark 11:27-33 

 

Yesterday we read that the next day after Christ's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.  And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it.  When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.  In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again."  And His disciples heard it.  So they came to Jerusalem.  Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.  And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.  Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'?  But you have made it a 'den of thieves.'  And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.  When evening had come, He went out of the city.  Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look!  The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.  And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." 

 Then they came again to Jerusalem.  And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.  And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things?  And who gave You this authority to do these things?"  But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?  Answer Me."  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'" -- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.  So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know."  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."   My study Bible explains that, as Christ is not a Levitical priest, the chief priests, scribes, and elders challenge His authority to cleanse the temple.  As Christ is careful not to reveal Himself to scoffers, it says, He confounds them with a different question about John.  Both the elders' question and Christ's question require the same answer, and therefore it would lead a person to confess that Jesus has come from heaven.  By not answering them directly, Christ teaches us not to answer people who come asking about holy things with a malicious intent. 

Today's reading raises the central question of authority.  The chief priests, scribes, and elders demand to know what authority Jesus has to cleanse the temple (see yesterday's reading, above).  He has no "inherited" authority such as the lineage of the Levitical priests.  But Jesus makes a comparison through His own question:  through whom did John the Baptist have authority to preach and to baptize?  John also had no "earthly" authority for what He did.  But Jesus brings in the central question:  Was it from heaven or from men?  In other words, was John the Baptist granted authority in some worldly or earthly way, from a human institution, to do what He did?  Nevertheless, could they say that this authority by which John baptized did not come from heaven?  The religious leaders will not answer His question.  Their fear is more of the people who are present for the Passover feast, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.  So, we must ask ourselves, how did the people count John to be a prophet?  In the stories of the Old Testament prophets, they also were so often individuals who spoke up against the establishment of the powers-that-be, in opposition to the religious authorities in place, and to the "favored" prophets of kings.  How is a prophet recognized?  In a modern world, and throughout Christian history, saints have played similar roles, most often gathering recognition through the laity long before sainthood is officially a declaration of a religious authority.  The role of the prophets was like the one John played, they came to call the people back to God -- recalling God's word and authority when human institutions had strayed from that.  As in the parable of the Wicked Vinedressers which Christ will tell during this Passover feast in Jerusalem in Mark 12:1-12, the prophets are sent by God to call us to the proper fruits of the spirit, to remind us of our proper relationship to God, and especially the religious leadership.  They are sent by the vineyard owner, who is God the Father, who has now sent His Son, Christ.  In this sense is John the Baptist's ministry also "from heaven."  It opens up the question we must all ask ourselves, "What is 'of men,' and what is 'of heaven'?"  How do we know which is which?  How do we know what is saintly and what is not?  How may we discern the ways in which God calls us?  The great question posed here to Christ is one of authority, and yet there have been so many signs of heavenly authority working through Christ already.  Those who ask this question clearly choose not to see that which interferes with their own authority, that which they do not want to see -- as did many leaders before them to the prophets who were sent earlier.  Jesus teaches us also, as my study Bible notes, that we should not respond to people who ask with a vicious intent.  If there is a request by someone who does not in any way want to know the truth, especially a religious or spiritual truth, then one is not under obligation to respond.  Jesus' question regarding John the Baptist exposes the religious authorities' own bad faith; they are unwilling to answer truly because of the multiple mixed motivations here, and the ulterior motives involved.  They are afraid of the people, who count John the Baptist to have been a prophet, but their loyalty is not to God.  Let us turn to Christ in prayer so that we, also, may stand in the truth and find the discernment He asks of us.  For how will we know what is from heaven and what is "from men?"  This is why we place all things in the hands of God, including our own motivations and desires, to find where God would lead us.

Then they all said, "Are You then the Son of God?" So He said to them, "You rightly say that I am"

 Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.  And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy!  Who is the one who struck You?"  And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.

As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, "If You are the Christ, tell us."  But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe.  And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go.  Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God."  Then they all said, "Are You then the Son of God?"  So He said to them, "You rightly say that I am."  And they said, "What further testimony do we need?  For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."

- Luke 22:63-71

Yesterday we read that when they came to arrest Him, Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."  Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house.  But Peter followed at a distance.  Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."  But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."  And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them."  But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

 Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.  And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy!  Who is the one who struck You?"  And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.   Christ is beaten, mocked, humiliated.   He is subject to the cruelties visited upon the powerless, and the blasphemy and ridicule of His jailers reflects the intent of those who have ordered His arrest. 

As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, "If You are the Christ, tell us."  But He said to them, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe.  And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go.  Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God."  Then they all said, "Are You then the Son of God?"  So He said to them, "You rightly say that I am."  And they said, "What further testimony do we need?  For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth."  My study bible comments that Jesus asked many questions of the Jewish leaders which they refused to answer, because doing so would have meant confessing Him as the Christ (20:4-7; Matthew 22:41-46; Mark 3:4).  With the statement, "Hereafter the Son of Man will sit at the right hand of the power of God," Jesus is effectively declaring Himself equal with God.

It is interesting to observe Jesus' response to the elders, chief priests and scribes at the council.  His method of reply seems strange.  But if one considers the power of His words and teachings, and especially His revelation of Himself and His identity, one may observe that Jesus is actually trying to protect them.  That is, the refusal to heed His words, and the absolute rebuke they would make in response to the truth He tells -- especially given the positions of these men as religious leaders -- would necessitate a kind of condemnation that He will not easily nor lightly give.  He says directly, "If I tell you, you will by no means believe.  And if I also ask you, you will be no means answer Me or let Me go."  Since He is already aware of the certainty as to how they will respond, that there is no hope for their belief, He will not directly implicate them in certain condemnation.  Christ's constant directive is salvation.   John's Gospel tells us clearly, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17).  Up until the last moment of contact, Christ continues to try to save Judas.  He asks him, upon His arrest, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (see Saturday's reading).   Even His seemingly mysterious reply to these men of the Sanhedrin can be understood from this perspective.  When they ask Him directly if He is the Son of God,  Jesus replies, "You rightly say that I am."  This answer, by its phrasing, also refuses condemnation of those who would deny this truth to His face.  He will respond similarly even with Pilate (23:3).  What we need to remember in reading these passages is that Christ's overarching directive of all that He does, His ministry, His whole Incarnation, is salvation.  As John's Gospel says, He did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save the world.  That means everything and everyone in it.  By either refusing to speak to those who absolutely will not believe, or responding in this strange way, that "you rightly say that I am" (or, "It is as you say," to Pilate), Christ refuses condemnation, and allows more time for those who have a chance to come to repentance and faith.  Elsewhere, Jesus tells the apostles, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces" (Matthew 7:6).  Looking at the behavior of those who cruelly mock and beat Jesus, we may see a kind of literal illustration of this teaching.  Looking more deeply into Christ's conduct among the Sanhedrin, we can understand His prohibition against giving what is holy, and what are pearls of truth, to those who are incapable of receiving is not only futile and dangerous, but it is not at all within the mission of those who would follow Him.  His mission is a saving mission, and into it His disciples enter.  We are reminded that Christ passed through a Samaritan village on His way to Jerusalem, and they refused to receive Him, John and James Zebedee asked if they should call down fire from heaven to consume them, as did Elijah.  But Jesus told them, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.  For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them"  (Luke 9:51-56).  We live in a modern world in which they are many who do not share the faith in Christ that those of us who seek to be His followers would declare.  There are those who may even be violently opposed, for one reason or another.  We should remember His conduct and His words within the contexts in which we find ourselves today.   His mission is salvation.  His words are powerful and true.  His teachings have spiritual substance, a full truth with an impact behind them.  And rejection of His teachings will have its consequences, just as those who reject a sincere faith may not know what they are doing.  As His disciples, we, too, must keep His words, conduct, and teachings in mind.  We do not cast pearls before swine, not in order to judge or condemn, not even simply to protect ourselves, but in order to conduct ourselves properly for the One whose overwhelming concern above all else was to save.  We do not seek endlessly to convert those who do not want to hear upon repeated refusal.  We may, like Christ, withdraw into a silence with confirmed rejection of our faith.  Our very best tool, as disciples, is simply a life lived in conjunction with His teachings, through the walk of faith, through prayer, and all the means at our disposal for living life in the way He has taught us.  By our patience we endure.  St. Paul writes of himself and his fellow apostles, "Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we encourage. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now" (1 Corinthians 4:12-13).  This is what it is to live the mission of the One who came to save and not to condemn.  May be all be blessed with the discernment to know where to go, and where not to go.  Let us remember that where the disciples were rejected, they were merely to shake the dust off their feet, and move on.  Sometimes people simply don't have "ears to hear."   In Acts, we're told that the Holy Spirit instructed Paul not to go to particular places at a particular time in his ministry (Acts 16:6-10).   We don't know why, but Christianity and St. Paul himself would go later to these regions.  In the reading for today, and in the other examples, we must keep in mind our dependence upon time for salvation.  The process of repentance and change takes time.  What is rejected one day may be accepted by the same person at a later date.  But there is a time when it is proper to withdraw direct contact and shake off the dust from our feet.  Judas still had an opportunity to return to the group in repentance.  The leaders who reject Christ could conceivably come to a repentance (indeed there are those members of the Council who did become Christ's notable followers).   Until further notice, we seek to live Christ's saving mission -- and until such time as we know differently, we follow as we are taught.

Have you not even read this Scripture: "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes"?

 Then they came again to Jerusalem.  And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.  And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things?  and who gave You this authority to do these things?"  But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?  Answer Me."  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'" -- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.  So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know."  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Then He began to speak to them in parables:  "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower.  And he leased it to vinedressers and went to a far country.  Now at vintage time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.  And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.  And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.  Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.'  But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir.  Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'  So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.  Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do?  He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.  Have you not even read this Scripture:

'The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord's doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes'?"

And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them.  So they left Him and went away.

- Mark 11:27-12:12

Yesterday, we read that the day after Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, when they had come out from Bethany where they had stayed night, He was hungry.  And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it.  When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.  In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again."  And His disciples heard it.  So they came to Jerusalem.  Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.  And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.  Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'?  But you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"  And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.  When evening had come, He went out of the city.  Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look!  The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."  So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.  And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Then they came again to Jerusalem.  And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.  And they said to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things?  and who gave You this authority to do these things?"  But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?  Answer Me."  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'" -- they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.  So they answered and said to Jesus, "We do not know."  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." As we read yesterday, Jesus has just cleansed the temple -- He drove out  those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.  The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders come to Him as He walks in the temple the following day.  We remember this is Passover Week, and it is the practice for pilgrims who've come for the feast to be at the temple.  These men are religious authorities, responsible for regulating and performing the practices of the temple.  Since Jesus is not a Levitical priest, they challenge His authority to cleanse the temple.  My study bible notes that Jesus is always careful not to reveal Himself to scoffers.  As such, He confounds them with a different question about John.  The question posed by the elders' and the question posed by Christ require the same answer, that both are from heaven.   It would amount to a confession of faith in Christ.  My study bible says that by not answering these men directly, Christ teaches us not to answer people who come asking about holy things with a malicious intent.

Then He began to speak to them in parables:  "A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower.  And he leased it to vinedressers and went to a far country.  Now at vintage time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.  And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.  Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.  And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.  Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, 'They will respect my son.'  But those vinedressers said among themselves, 'This is the heir.  Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.'  So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.  Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do?  He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others."   Earlier in Mark's Gospel, Jesus has told the disciples, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables" (see Mark 4:11-12).  Here Jesus gives the unbelieving chief priests, scribes, and elders a parable.  In it, the man who owns the vineyard represents God the Father.  The vineyard represents God's people, Israel.  The vinedressers are the religious leaders who are entrusted to care for the people.  Each servant sent by the owner stands for an Old Testament prophet who comes to call people back to God.  The beloved son is Christ Himself.  The others to whom the vineyard will be given are the Gentiles who will be brought into the Church.  As they seek to cast out Christ the beloved Son, so will they be cast out.

"Have you not even read this Scripture:  'The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.  This was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes'?"  And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them.  So they left Him and went away.  Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22-23.   This is the Psalm that tells of the coming Kingdom, ironically the one from which the people shouted verses welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem as King (118:25-26, see Monday's reading).  He affirms through the words of the Psalm that the One who is rejected ("cast out," above) will become the chief cornerstone.

We must admire Jesus' toughness.  This is the kind of toughness that doesn't come from physical power and might, but rather from faith.  It is the courage of One who stands in the truth, who loves the truth.  Jesus tells us, in fact, that He is the truth:  "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).  He will not reveal Himself openly to those who scoff.  But nevertheless the parable tells the story, and these men recognize that He speaks of them as the wicked vinedressers.  Earlier in the reading, He refuses to directly answer their question, but asks instead a question of His own, which they can't answer.  Jesus' "toughness" is that of an expert witness, One who testifies for a cause.  He knows what He is about.  He does not bend the truth and does not stretch His words into territory extraneous to His message and His focus.  He gives us an example of what good testimony really is and means.  He stays focused on the message, and He does not expose Himself to those whose only concern is to ridicule, condemn, and tear down.  He shows us also that He knows full well what is in the hearts of these leaders who find Him inconvenient, questioning their authority, not a part of their own circle.  He doesn't suffer fools and He doesn't waste words.  We recall that in front of Pilate He will say nothing.  Neither will He testify before the Sanhedrin.  Where there is no one to hear who may truly "hear," He does not bother to speak.  This is also witnessing, a testimony to the falseness of those who demand His answers.  Can we understand Him?  Can we be like Him?  Let us remember there are those who hear Him speak in the temple who are also witnesses, who have given us His testimony written for us to read in the Gospels.  So it is with our faith and our own witness.  We never know who may be listening, we are always in community.  Let us remember His brilliant example for us.

By what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?

 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?"  But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?"  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 20:1-8

Yesterday, as read that as Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes.  For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."  Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"  And He was teaching daily in the temple.  But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

  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?"   Since coming to Jerusalem, Jesus has been doing things that are particularly expected only of the Messiah:  His Triumphal Entry from the Mount of Olives (which we read about in Thursday's reading), the cleansing of the temple (yesterday's reading, above), and preaching and teaching daily in the temple afterward.  My study bible suggests that the elders confront Jesus since it was the duty of the priestly descendants of Levi to manage the temple.  While Jesus was descended from Judah (see Luke 3:33), He is the High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4), which is a priestly line far great than that of Levi:  Christ's authority is from the Father.

But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me:  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?"  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."  Jesus responds to a question with a question.  He deflects the question about Himself to a question about John the Baptist.  We have to remember that He's there in the temple teaching and preaching to the people, who love to hear Him there.  It's the week just before the Passover, and so pilgrims have come to Jerusalem; the people who hear Him are from everywhere.   John the Baptist was widely considered to be a very holy man, and a type of hero who stood up to the authorities in protest and defense of their faith (he criticized Herod Antipas for an unlawful marriage) and was murdered for doing so (see Mark 6:14-29).    Since these authorities cannot answer this question in front of the crowds, Jesus successfully and glibly "defeats" their attempt to accuse Him.

One thing I notice about Jesus here is His toughness.  Being the embodiment of the Beatitudes in His meekness, His weeping and mourning over Jerusalem, His humility, being a peacemaker, and representing righteousness or true justice  (as we discussed in yesterday's reading and commentary), does not mean that He's not "tough" in His righteousness and even His defense of the righteousness of others -- such as John the Baptist here in today's reading.  So all the virtues embodied in the Beatitudes are also those that keep on us the right track of "righteousness," of real justice as persons, as we witness here in Jesus' conduct before the authorities.  He doesn't budge from the truth, and He's clever and witty in the ways in which He will defend His truth even to these authorities who behave with resentment and envy.  And that's something we must take very seriously as part of the picture of true humility.  Humility, first of all, is in the cause of God's righteousness, and the truth that we find in the love of God.  Humility does not describe a worm-like attitude toward the egos of human beings; it's remaining, on the contrary, one who, like Christ, isn't craven for "the praise of men" but rather for the praise of God.  This is what keeps us humble and in the right place.  It doesn't mean that we give up our values or our faith in the face of others with more worldly authority than we have.  Being a peacemaker means we remain rooted in the righteousness we're taught in humility before God.  Furthermore, Jesus brilliant gifts of oratory are given in service to righteousness, in the clever and articular way He responds to these men -- not "arguing" but rather posing His own good question so that they are incapable of giving an answer before the people.  It's important to remember what real strength is; He doesn't bring an army to defeat His enemies physically, He doesn't manipulate people, but all His strength is in His heart and His intelligence, everything He is given over to the service of the Father, of that truth and righteousness.  This isn't a bragging, competitive kind of sparring; it's Jesus' full focus on being about His Father's business in the temple (see Luke 2:49).   Jesus teaches us detachment from worldly things, but He also teaches us what true commitment, strength, and passion are all about, what it is to be truly fully a human being, to serve the greatest and highest good we can.  Let us remember what it is to bring the fullness of our intelligence, our heart, our talents, to God, and remember the amazing strength and vigor of our humble Christ.  Let us note also that the ones who question Him with their hearts closed to faith do not receive an answer from Him.  It's a lesson for all of us, in many ways.

By what authority are You doing these things?

 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?"  But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me.  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?"  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 20:1-8

In yesterday's reading,  Jesus drew near Jerusalem, and He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes.  For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."  Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"  And He was teaching daily in the temple.  But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

 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?"   My study bible explains that "Jesus is questioned about His authority.  These things include the cleansing of the temple and His preaching of the gospel with messianic claims." 

But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me.  The baptism of John -- was it from heaven or from men?"  The interesting thing about Jesus' answer is hidden in plain sight:  it is His expression which is full of authority.  He doesn't answer their question but asks one of His own.

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."  Using His own authority, Jesus immediately puts the leadership in a defensive position.

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."  My study bible says of today's reading:  "Perceiving their intent to trap Him, Jesus answers with a question of His own -- and reduces His opponents to silence."

Today's reading is a kind of quiet but firm exchange.  Jesus is challenged as to His authority to cleanse the temple (see yesterday's reading) and also to teach as He does.  But Jesus' elegant and firm answer puts them in their places.  If they haven't an answer for Him, neither is it necessary for Him to answer them.  This is a kind of dueling authority at play; Jesus counters with His own authority in each exchange, and He will do so through to the end, in acceptance of what is to happen later on in Jerusalem.  But at no time does He surrender His authority.  He is the Prince of Peace, His weapon is His authority -- even in human form.  As we watch what is to come, we may note the ways in which He duels or spars with His opponents, the ways in which the Prince of Peace goes about His business in the world.  We already know of His powers used to heal and to cast out demons, to feed and to come to His disciples when they need Him.  These things have already been shown in the Gospel.  We know of His prescience, His understanding of hearts, His foreknowledge, His Transfiguration, His holiness.  But He is not the conquering, liberating Messiah that others expect.  He is God Incarnate, the Son of Man, who will be crucified, who will suffer and die, and who will ascend on the third day.  All of these things have a purpose and a reason.  All of them are a part of the power of God, to bring God's grace to us.  In all of these things Christ's authority remains.  He is bringing a kingdom into this world to defeat the prince of the world, but it doesn't come by way of expectation nor understanding in the sense in which it is awaited.  It comes with faith.  It comes with love:  our love for Him responding to His love for us.  He will suffer and die, but He will never surrender His authority; we can see it in the display in today's reading, in which He spars and argues -- in a certain sense -- with the leadership in the temple.  His authority is clear.  He will do what He must.  And here is a key to the authority Jesus uses:  it will expose the hearts of men, including the leadership.  If we look to the early part of Luke's Gospel, in chapter 2, we find Simeon's prophecy to Mary:  "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."   This is the sword He brings to the world, the one that pierces Mary's heart, that may be a stumbling block for many, but ultimately reveals the thoughts of many hearts.  In all ways, Christ is preparing for the time of His return, a time of Judgment, the time in which we now await Him and have our own faith to pursue in the ways in which He has taught.  His authority will be used so "that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  This is one way in which we are to understand Him, and to understand the purpose of our own lives.  It's a good question the leadership asks, although asked with bad intent.  They don't really want the answer He has to give.  Let us remember that He has taught repeatedly about the pure in heart, and called Nathanael "an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit."  In Luke's Gospel quite recently, He's taught about the little children, who model those who come to the kingdom.   What is His authority for, and where does it come from?  Let us consider Simeon's prophecy, and understand what He is about, where His authority is, and what it is for.  How we come to Him makes the great difference in the answer we receive.