Human Pretzels

Luke 20:7-8

So they finally replied that they didn’t know.

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”

In my time running a crime scene unit I spent a lot of time making sure my court testimony would be bulletproof. I was always aware that the lawyers could try to trip me up with devious questions like the ones below, taken from actual court records:

1. “Now, doctor isn’t it true that when a person dies in their sleep they don’t know about it until the next morning?”

2. “The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old is he?”

3. “Was it you or your younger brother who was killed in the war?”

4. “Were you present when your picture was taken?”

5. “How far apart were the vehicles when they collided?

The leading priests had tried once again to trap Jesus into saying something they could use against him with the Romans. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t get him. In today’s passage, they think amongst themselves and come up with what they think is a real doozy. They are playing tiddlywinks and Jesus is playing 3D Chess.

Jesus turns their question back on them, so they scurry off to put their heads together and come up with an answer. After parsing out all the details, the pros and cons, the possible outcomes, they come to Jesus, shrug their shoulders and say, “I dunno.”

Jesus’ answer is classic: “Then I’m not going to tell you, either.”

Romans 1:22 says, “Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.” We can find ourselves in the same predicament. We try so hard to come up with reasons why what God wants for us, or wants us to give up, that we twist ourselves into human pretzels. Here’s an idea: just follow God’s leading. Trust me, your life is better handled and guided by the creator of the heavens and earth than by someone like you. Or me.

Today’s Readings: Ezra 7,8; Luke 20

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