Matthew 21:23-32 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 21:23-32 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" Verse 24Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Verse 25Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' Verse 26But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." Verse 27So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
Verse 28"What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' Verse 29He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. Verse 30The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. Verse 31Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. Verse 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Devotion
Is answering a question with another question just a Jesus thing? I mean, it seems that sometimes when we relate to or talk with Jesus, we get more questions than we get answers. I wonder if the chief priests, the elders and the disciples felt that way also. In our gospel reading for today, Jesus is asked by the chief priests and elders how and why he is doing what he is doing. Jesus responds to their question with a question of his own. His question is not necessarily a difficult one to answer, but more so it points to a tough truth to comprehend and live with.
Still in some ways it remains frustrating. We are a people who want answers; we want facts, we want the truth. And we want the answers right now. But Jesus doesn't just hand them over to us. The true insights of faith are not delivered to us on a silver platter, but rather they are revealed to us over time through the bumps and dips, curves and paths in the journey of life. And when we look up from this journey, we do not see a silver platter, but instead a wooden cross. So, where are you on this journey called life? How is your relationship with Jesus?
Prayer
Father, reveal to us Jesus. Jesus, give us faith. Holy Spirit, guide our journey. Amen.