Matins Devotion: June 5, 2025

Luke 20:1-18

In our reading from Luke this morning, the chief priests and scribes start what seems to be a theological debate with Jesus. Jesus has just driven the money changers and animal sellers out of the temple and claimed jurisdiction over the house of God, so the chief priests and scribes ask him by what authority he does these things. They’re essentially asking Him “who are you and why would God give you this right?” Outwardly, that’s a theological question.

But Jesus quickly reveals that they’re not interested in theology, but in self-glorification. When He asks them if John’s baptism came from man or from God, they don’t care what the true answer is. They just want to find the answer that will be the least destructive to their reputations, to their glory, which is why they rather comically settle on “we’re not smart enough to know” as the best option. In seeking to be glorious, they expose themselves as fools.

Beware those who share their folly. “Does life begin at conception or not?” “Is homosexuality sinful or not?” “Were Adam and Eve real people or not?” “Is there salvation outside of Christ or not?” If people give the right answers to these questions, rejoice. If people give confident but wrong answers to these questions, there’s probably a good theological debate to be had. If people go blank in the eyes while giving non-answers, then don’t waste your time having a theological debate with someone who isn’t debating theology but is trying to figure out how to use theology as a tool for building up their own glory, often at your expense.

John’s baptism was from God, which means Jesus is God’s Lamb and God’s Son, which means Jesus is your savior, which means your sins are no more and eternal life is your inheritance. The true Temple, the clean Temple has welcomed you in. Cling to Him and His truth and the folly of social credit seeking will never devour you.