So, I am writing a Daily post on a section of Scripture that I will be preaching on in a few days, but this Daily will be read by you five days after I deliver this same sermon. I feel like I am in an episode of the Twilight Zone!!! That was a TV show in the early 1960’s made into a movie in the early 1980’s for you younger folks!!!

[Luke 20.1-8]

20.1 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 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 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.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What “things” did Jesus do that the religious elite are alluding to in v. 1? [Read Luke 19.28-48]

+ Why did Jesus answer their question with a question of His own? Was He being allusive, opening a door for further discussion/contemplation or both? Can we learn something from this approach today as we encounter skeptics?

+ Based on their discussion with one another, what do you think the religious leaders truly thought about John the Baptist? Why?

+ Why didn’t Jesus “actually” answer their question, or did He and they just missed it? Read Luke 20.9-18, which I am sure will be the Daily post for Monday November 1!!!

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ The Jewish religious leaders in the days of Jesus are such easy targets for us, but I wonder how differently we would have acted then and maybe still do today!!! I don’t ask questions of God in the futile attempt of trying to trick Him, or do I? Sometimes, I find I question His love, His goodness, His character as I shake my fist at Him, blaming Him for things that have happened, especially when these things happen to me!!! Let us work to identify and eliminate any Pharisaical attitudes and actions we have in our lives today!!!

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for self-righteousness, times when we are judgmental, being sticklers to the letter of the law instead of embracing the spirit of the law. Help us to see people as You do and empower us to act as conduits of the grace and mercy You offer to those who seek it. Amen.

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?