(Mark 11:27-33 ESV)
I asked my hubby since he was sitting there and I'm really tired after hardly any sleep last night, well...why wouldn't he just tell them? His response was "well, why would he? If they don't believe John, why would they believe him?"
Initially that made no sense to me until I reread the passage.
They asked him a question and Jesus said "if you answer my question to you I will answer your question.". They didn't answer Jesus' question. They knew what to say, but they didn't want to be caught out.
So Jesus did not answer there question.
I find it interesting that the church leadership considered what the results of their answer would be. One... anger this teacher Jesus and show themselves up. Or two... anger the Israelites who held John to be a prophet --- doing that raised up a level of fear in them.
The response of the leadership was simply to avoid the issue.
Jesus simply didn't let them get away with it.
I read this passage and think to myself... so what then can I learn from this?
1. I suspect the leadership knew the truth but they didn't want to publically admit to Christ and they also were afraid of angering their constituents.
2. Jesus didn't let them get away with their wish-washy-ness.
Knowing that... it shouldn't surprise me when Jesus doesn't let me get away with it either. :) He holds me accountable as I learn and grow. Challenging me to be honest with myself and those around me. It's hard sometimes you know? But there should be no prevarication in following Christ.