The Heart that Cannot Believe

One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’  But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things” (Luke 20:1-8).

The religious leaders had heard His words and seen His miracles but still they could not believe. Their contention was with His words… “as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel”, and with His works… “He entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold” (Luke 19:45). Their concern was with the invisible authority that confirmed His teaching, preaching, and temple cleansing as well as with the undeniable power that produced the healing of the sick, the restoration of the broken, and the raising of the dead... “Tell us by what authority you do these things”. Their consternation was ultimately provoked by the cleansing of the temple and now they who most needed spiritual deliverance and healing confronted and sought to trap the One that came to set them free, but they were enslaved by the heart that cannot believe.

The unbelieving heart obeys the authority of men above the authority of God. One of life’s biggest questions has always been, Who’s in charge? How revealing that the biggest question in the hearts of the religious leaders was about authority. The did not ask how to preach, teach, or heal with the same effectiveness Christ demonstrated. They were not interested in connecting and sharing the ministry with Him so that many more people might benefit. No, their hearts were consumed with selfishness and fear that their own authority might be slipping away. True disciples are those who are totally surrendered to the authority and sovereignty of the Lord… “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Living and obeying the authority of God in an ungodly world confronts others with the question, Who’s in charge?

The unbelieving heart recognizes the acknowledgement of men above the acknowledgement of God. Jesus’ invocation of John into this confrontation was intended to compel a response to the One acknowledged by heaven. Through the words of the prophet John, God had acknowledged Jesus Christ as His Messiah… “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29). He hoped to provoke in the hearts of His audience, an awareness of their captivity and blindness so that they might see Him as the One who could set them free… “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Sharing His gospel releases His power to free captive hearts and open blind eyes to recognize the acknowledgement of God.

The unbelieving heart seeks the approval of men above the approval of God. The religious leaders could not answer Jesus because they feared the reaction of the crowd. We are reminded of this same fear controlling the heart of Pontius Pilate… “So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” (Mark 15:15). As we mature in the faith we are less concerned about pleasing others and more fulfilled in pleasing and serving Christ… “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). Evidence of maturing faith is a growing desire to seek and enjoy the approval of God.

As we grow up into Christ, living for Him can confront and proclaim liberty to…

The Heart that Cannot Believe.