(Audio)
Where was John's baptism from?
Was it of heavenly or of human origin?
Jesus traps the wise in their own wisdom. Our own wisdom will not give us a correct or sincere answer about the baptism of John. Instead, it will give us a political and pragmatic answer. It doesn't allow us to either believe him, for then we would have to change, or to condemn him, because we fear what people will think of us. Fear of change and fear of what people think is the result of our human wisdom. Such wisdom is not able to understand the authority by which Jesus acts.
"By what authority are you doing these things?
And who gave you this authority?"
The prideful can't solve this mystery. But to the humble it is obvious.
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes (see Matthew 7:28-29).
The humble don't need to see Jesus' Curriculum Vitae to validate his authority. They don't resort to a complex syllogisms to explain his claims. They hear and in hearing they know.
The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!" (see John 7:46).
We ought not prepare for Christmas relying on our own wisdom. Rather, we should listen with rapt attention to the promises that are about to be fulfilled. Preparation isn't ultimately a puzzle to be solved. The King comes as gift to us. We listen now in order to receive.
I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
and a staff shall rise from Israel.
The LORD guides the humble to justice. He teaches the humble his way. Let us be more like the Magi than the chief priests and elders. Let us sit aside the pride of our own position to follow the promised star.
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