All-knowing Father, who sees the thoughts of our hearts, teach us to be honest with you and plain about our hearts, that we would be able to enter into real dialogue with you and grow to understand your desires and plans more clearly, through Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect love. Amen. ‘ When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”‘ – Matthew 21:23 The more I sat with the priests’ question, the more I realized that it wasn’t a real question. It felt like, “Who gave you the right?” or “Where do you get off?”, but those aren’t actual questions. They’re accusations. I wondered how this exchange would have differed if they had come in more directly and honestly, “We don’t trust you. We don’t think you have the right to be here or say these things.” How would that exchange gone differently? Are there ways you go around an issue instead of presenting it to God directly?
Matthew R Green
PhD