Readings for today: Matthew 22:15-46, 23:1-39, Mark 12:13-44, Luke 20:19-47, 21:1-4, 13:31-35
Let me start by saying God welcomes honest, heart-felt questions. God loves nothing more than comforting His people when they come before Him confused and hurting. Struggling to understand. Trying to make sense of life and tragedy and suffering. He understands our doubts and fears. He can handle our anger and frustration. When we are honestly seeking Him. Honestly asking Him. Honestly and transparently and vulnerably bringing all our insecurities before Him, He gently gathers us in His arms and lets us know it will be okay. He is with us. He is here for us. He will never leave us or forsake us.
However, if we set out to test God. If we set out to put Him on the witness stand and demand He answer to our notions of right and wrong, good and evil. If we try to put Him on trial and require Him to conform to our standards of justice. If we doubt His goodness and holiness and righteousness. If we press Him and try to discredit Him. If we approach God, trying to trap Him as the religious leaders of Jesus’ day did, we are playing a very dangerous game. One that places our eternity at risk.
The religious rulers of the day had no interest in following Jesus. Their only aim was to discredit Him before the eyes of the people. They were seeking to trip Him up with their questions. They wanted to make a public spectacle of Him. Humiliate Him in the eyes of the people. Stamp out His ministry and movement and send Him back to Nazareth in disgrace. Their questions are designed to get Him in trouble politically – “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Their questions serve as impossible riddles – “A woman married seven times goes to heaven…whose wife will she be?” Their questions present logical impossibilities – “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” But Jesus is not limited to human understanding. His answers reveal a divine wisdom that silences those who would seek to destroy Him.
It’s sobering to say the least. And it forces us to engage in honest self-reflection. What lies at the heart of our questions? An honest desire to understand or a selfish desire to justify our actions? A tender insecurity for which we need God’s comfort or an arrogant desire to go our own way and do our own thing? A doubt or a fear that keeps us from experiencing the peace that passes all understanding or a sinful desire to cling to an idol in our lives?
Readings for tomorrow: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21:5-38