We Don’t Know

Prayer – Lord, I don’t know all there is to know about You, but I do know that You have authority and power to heal the blind and lame. You are amazing…and I know that many people look to You for answers to their health issues. The biggest question though is “Why is there pain and suffering in this world?” That would be followed by “Why don’t You heal everyone who calls upon Your name?” I trust You have the answers and that some of these issues are just our trials here on earth. Give us—and those suffering—strength to endure. 

Baptism in the Jordan River, Israel.
By whose authority did John baptize in that river?

When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, "By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?" "I'll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question," Jesus replied. "Did John's authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?" They talked it over among themselves. "If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn't believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we'll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet." So they finally replied, "We don't know." And Jesus responded, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I do these things. Matthew 21:23-27 

Meditate. Consider God’s wisdom and knowledge. He knows everything.

 

Both Jesus’ and John’s authority was questioned by the Pharisees. But focus on how the Pharisees ended their accusations. They said, “We don’t know.” They didn’t know—oh not so. They just didn’t want to admit that they could possibly be wrong…or that either answer they would choose would get them into trouble with someone. Were they seeking an answer? They wanted to trip up Jesus because they didn’t like that He had more power than they had. They just didn’t trust, let alone believe in Jesus. Who gave Him the power? Couldn’t they believe that God gave it to Him and that He was actually their Messiah? No. In my own Bible studies I only noted one Pharisee who believed in Jesus: Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin, who visited Jesus one night and Jesus explained that men must be born again, spiritually. There was also a Sadducee, a Jewish religious sect similar to the Pharisees, named Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the High Council, who actually help remove Jesus’ body from the cross and laid Him in the tomb after His crucifixion. He was a follower of Jesus. These two men were exceptions—the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders in general were antagonistic towards Jesus and His followers. Jesus was not their Messiah, although He came to save all mankind. In their own words, by whose authority were John the Baptist and Jesus doing the things they were doing, “We don’t know.”  The Jewish leaders were educated men, but they were relying on their own wisdom—not the wisdom of God. If they turned to the Lord, trusted Him and actually listened to Jesus’ teaching, they would have recognized from whom Jesus and John received their power. Then they wouldn’t have wanted to say…we don’t know.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25

 

© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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