Day 23
Start with Posture of Silence and Solitude (2 minutes)
Read Scripture: Luke 20:1-8 The Authority of Jesus Questioned
One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”
He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me: John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Devotional:
Again the religious leaders try to trap Jesus three times in this passage. In the first encounter, if he were to answer their question telling them that his authority came from God, it would be as if he admitted he was the Messiah, the Son of God. Then they would bring him to trial and charge him with blasphemy. So he instead asked them a question in which they would not answer. Jesus often asked a question when he was confronted with a question. Here he avoided being trapped by bringing to light the agenda to be rid of him.
Questions to ponder:
- Even today, some religious leaders have been exposed to having a personal agenda. How can the church body safeguard the good news of Jesus is the main focus?
- Given this passage, what is the best way for you to pray today?
End with Posture of Silence and Solitude (2 minutes)
