Jesus is in Jerusalem and his time is limited. Yet again religious leaders confront him. They have seen his miracles, heard his teachings, sent reps to question him and still they sit on the fence. And so they ask a question they do not want the answer for. “By what authority do you do what you do?” They know the answer. Jesus asks them a question that makes apparent their duplicity. Who was the authority behind John the Baptist? It reminds me of grade school and the question, “Can God create a rock so big he can’t lift it?” Yes, God is the creator and yes, God can do all things. The question is not looking for truth but to put the person answering in a bind. The leaders are caught behind the obvious truth that Jesus is of God and their pride that does not want to admit it. They are in a bind and back down.
How many times do we hesitate to stand up for what we know is true for fear of the “other.” Faith by definition is not subject to the laws of science. I believe in love but I have been betrayed. I believe in air but I cannot always see it. I had a poster that I cherished for years as a young adult. It was the beginning of a poem,
“I believe in the sun
even when it is not shining
And I believe in love,
even when there’s no one there.
And I believe in God,
even when He is silent…”
It is the start of a poem scratched on a prison wall in Cologne during WWII by a Jewish person. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9812347-i-believe-in-the-sun-even-when-it-is-not
What are some things you believe in that cannot be seen but that show the power and existence of God to you? Lord, help me not to play games with my and not to hesitate to share my faith as I walk the lenten journey with you today! Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 