NOT A PEOPLE PLEASER
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Again they entered Jerusalem. As Jesus was walking through the Temple area, the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?” “I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human? Answer me!” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet. So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Mark 11:27-33 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Sometimes what something looks like on the surface is different than what is underneath. In this story it appears Jesus is being evasive and trying to outsmart the religious leaders. I think there is something bigger going on. Jesus is asked by what authority He is doing what He does. I don’t believe they wanted to know the truth they were just trying to trap Jesus and discredit Him in front of the people. Instead, Jesus turned their hypocrisy on themselves. Jesus asked them what they thought of John the Baptist. Did his authority come from God or man? Jesus knew the religious leaders had rejected John’s message of repentance. He also knew the people believed John was a prophet. The religious leaders were more interested in pleasing people than in seeking truth. They found themselves in a difficult position. If they said John’s authority was from God they would have to admit they rejected a word from God. If they said it was from men, they would have the people upset at them. People pleasers will always find themselves in difficult situations. You can never win. Choosing to please people over pleasing God will be a trap that will suffocate you. Here is another thought on this passage. Jesus was not willing to give the religious leaders a new revelation from God until they accepted the revelation they had already heard. When we reject the truth that God brings to us, we can’t expect to get any other truth. God will not continue to waste truth on those who refuse to hear what He has to say. Why would Jesus give them a new revelation when they rejected the last revelation.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me to make pleasing You my top priority. Forgive me for trying to please people. Help me to listen, accept, and obey what You have said so that I can receive new revelation.
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