Faith Is A Direct Answer, Not A Trick Question

REFLECTIONS
September 28, 2008

In Matthew 21:23-32, we find the chief priests questioning the authority of Jesus. Asking in verse twenty-three, “by what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” He asks in return whether the Baptism John preached was from heaven or of human origin. They are stuck on an answer because if they say from heaven Jesus will say, “why did you not believe and follow him?” However, if they say of humans, they fear being attacked by those present who believed and followed John’s ministry. So Jesus does not answer them either, and then moves into the parable of the man with two sons. He goes to his first son asking him to go into the field to work and he says he will not, but then thinks better of it and does. The man asks the second son to go into the field and he says he will and then does not go. Jesus then asks the priests which son did the will of the father. They of course answer the first. Jesus then says the tax collectors and prostitutes will get to the kingdom before them because they believed John and they (the Chief Priests) did not.

It seems harsh, at some level, to have Jesus say this, yet these and other like- minded folks question the authority of Jesus. Their opposition would carry Jesus to an inquest before Pilot and, of course, the cross. He answers the question of authority not so much with words (as he does here) but with the way he lives and especially with his teaching, filled with the power of the Spirit of God.

I had a professor in Seminary who when reading a passage such as this would say... “then the Presbyterians and the Methodists questioned Jesus as to his authority and where it came from.” The good Doctor would assert, “if you cannot identify with the villains in Biblical narrative you really aren’t interested in the story.” To be fully engaged as people of faith, we must be willing to see ourselves in those who would distract us from seeing that Jesus was not about authority, but power. The power of God’s love let loose in a wild and wonderful way that can confound and confuse and raise questions.
However, in the end, faith is a direct answer never a trick question.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601