Luke 20:1 - 8
Jesus comes into town symbolically like a King and then cleanses the temple. The question that follows is in itself not a bad question. To allow people to call him King and to say by action that the status quo is wrong is something that ought to require some credentials. The problem was that the questioners were insincere. This delegation, which represented the aristocracy of the temple, refused to answer a question that would have answered their own question. Because of John's testimony and his role as the forerunner of Jesus they had the capacity to understand the source of Jesus' authority. If John's baptism were from man then Jesus's authority would be from man. If John's baptism were from Heaven then Jesus's authority would have been from Heaven.
In their counsel the leaders revealed that they are not concerned with the truth. They wanted to set a trap for Jesus but found themselves in their own trap. Their objective of the counsel was to find a way out of their dilemma not discover the truth. Truth didn't matter to them only keeping power and removing this Jesus who was a threat to their power. Any confession of ignorance is an opportunity to learn. But faking ignorance so we don't have to face an unpleasant truth is a manifestation of a dark and wicked heart. They knew, or could have known, but they just closed their eyes to the truth to their own ruin. Facing the truth can be difficult and painful but it is a better option than living in disobedience.
“Lord, give me the courage to face the ugly truth of my own selfishness and sin. AMEN”
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