City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The World

66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

Luke 22:66-71

Reflection

“If you are the Christ, tell us.” That sounds like an honest question, but it wasn’t. Jesus knew it wasn’t. The chief priests and scribes were looking for evidence not Truth. They wanted evidence Jesus was claiming to be the Son of God, but they were not interested in evidence of whether Jesus was the Son of God.

What Jesus says next demonstrates both his discernment and mercy. 

When Jesus says, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and If I ask you, you will not answer,” he is letting the chief priests, scribes, and everyone present know He is no fool. He knows what they are trying to do. Their minds are already made up and they are not even willing to enter into a dialogue involving questions and answers. They are only interested in trying to get Jesus to incriminate Himself, but He knows that. There is no reading Jesus His Miranda rights, but it is not necessary. Jesus is not fooled.

What Jesus said also demonstrated His mercy. Jesus could have immediately given the evidence they wanted. Instead, He prefaced the admission of His identity by giving them one last chance to open their hearts and minds to the truth. How better to invite them into a reconsideration of the truth than to say, “It doesn’t matter what I say you will not believe me, and what’s more, you will not even enter into an honest debate about it”? No one wants to be accused of being closed-minded, and most would agree to hear the other side rather than leave the accusation unrebutted. Jesus was giving them one more chance to open their hearts and minds to the truth.

Application

Such is the nature of Jesus: discerning, savvy, and nobody’s fool, yet loving, merciful, and long-suffering.  Jesus knows what is in the human heart (John 2:24-25), yet He still extends mercy knowing it leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4).

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your abundant kindness, mercy, and grace, which leads me to repentance. Amen.