1-2 One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3-4 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?”  5-7 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven’, he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man’, all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”  So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” Luke 20:1-8 (English Standard Version)

What came to your mind as to how Jesus handled the question put to Him by the Jewish leaders?

What struck me was that Jesus didn't feel obliged to answer questions from people who were not seeking God's Kingdom. He didn't see a need to 'justify Himself' in their eyes. I think that's a lesson we can take to heart. We don't have to try and vindicate ourselves and win every argument people might raise against us. It made me think of what Jesus said to His disciples when He first sent them on a preaching trip to the surrounding towns and villages. Listen to how Matthew tells it:

“Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction (and said) 'Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When  they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.'” (Matthew 10:1 & 16-20)

Notice there that Jesus was showing the very authority the Jewish leaders were questioning Him about. But their motives were wrong. They were only looking for a reason to 'deliver Him over to courts and flog Him in their synagogue'. That's why Jesus responded by putting a question to them that left them in a catch-22 situation. Their helplessness also showed how out of touch they were with so many of the general population who believed Jesus' authority was from God. That’s still true in the world today. Those in positions of power are often out of touch with ordinary folk - and with truth in general.

So Jesus showed much discernment and wisdom in how He responded to those who were only trying to bait Him so as to persecute Him. He warned His followers that they were to expect the same baits and traps as they took His gospel into the world. But what was the tremendous encouragement He gave His disciples in what Matthew said above?

He first urged them to be 'as wise as serpents'. That might sound odd, but the idea is surely their need to as aware of traps and danger as a serpent might be. But they were also to have the gentle innocence that doves are associated with. And while that paints a picture of being meek, and even vulnerable, He gave them the wonderful promise and assurance that the Holy Spirit will give them the same sort of wisdom He showed when facing danger, when they needed it.

We must always be willing to try and help people who are sincerely looking for answers. But we mustn't feel we have to give answers and explanations to people who aren’t seeking God's Kingdom, but only trying to find reasons to attack us. We certainly don't need to try and justify what God has spoken in His word. May God give us wisdom to know when to be silent and when to speak. And may He indeed grant His Holy Spirit to guide our words in any hour of need that we may face as we seek to live for Jesus among the wolves.