March 31, 2010
Luke 20
Mike Schwiebert
As you have been reading through Luke’s Gospel, you probably saw this coming. Eventually, Jesus and the Jewish leaders were going to have it out.
Jesus’ response to their subterfuge is instructive. He answered them.
Wow! Before thinking about how He responded, just consider the simple fact that He gave an answer. Many of today’s leaders seem to have turned not answering critics into an art form, with some actually taking classes and studying film to perfect non-answers.
Yet The Creator of the Universe - who didn’t have to answer to anyone for anything - answered these contentious, backbiting (hold on…I’ll tell you how I really feel in a moment), self-seeking, scheming and pompous hypocrites.
Sometimes I’m not gracious to my critics, with thoughts like, “Who do they think they are? I’ve forgotten more than they’ll ever know!” or “I don’t have to answer to you!” Oops… it’s possible that we can dismiss others when we believe they are insignificant.
Jesus wasn’t passive, but He was magnanimous toward critics. What if we applied that principle to our roles as spouse, parent, friend, leader or coworker?
Did you know? Media Director Mike Schwiebert once served as a middle school youth pastor, and loved it.
