Today's Passage - Matthew 21:23-27

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 21:23-27   Jesus entered the temple courtyard. While he was teaching there, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "Who gave you this authority?" Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Where did John's baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from men?" They talked to each other about it. They said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But what if we say, 'From men'? We are afraid of the people. Everyone believes that John was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Then I won't tell you by what authority I am doing these things either.   The reason that Jesus rebuked Pharisees and authorities on the law was that they had hardened hearts. They heard the teachings that the Lord had preached, they saw the miracles that the Lord had performed, and yet their hearts were still hard. Not only did they not humble themselves to received the work of God, but also did they tried every way to resist.   The way they resisted was to doubt the source of Jesus's authority. Since they could not deny the power of miracles, at least they could say, this power was not from God, but from Satan. That's why they asked Jesus, "Who gave you this authority?" The same thing happened today as well. We often hear people criticising evangelists, much like how Pharisees resisted Jesus. They saw miracles, and yet had hardened hearts. They say that those are not from the Lord. Some say that those are from the will of humen. Some say that those are trickeries. Even some say that those are the work of evil spirits. Of course, some evangelists did bear bad witnesses. But what if what they did was from God? Who can be sure which deeds are false? If those were real, aren't we the same as the Pharisees - seeing miracles yet still not believing?   Quite often, we don't know the condition of our hearts. May God shine His light upon us and examine our hearts, so that we will not offend God and fall into the circumstance of denying Holy Spirit and denying truth.  When we see the work of God's Spirit, let us not question and criticize easily, but keep a humble heart to seek Him, and accept His work every day! Pray with Pastor Tong       Lord, may you open our eyes so that we can see your wonderful deeds and the condition of our hearts.  May the Spirit of the Lord rebuke us if there is anything inside of us that resists you.  May you soften our hearts, get rid of all darkness, and let we receive you love and mercy again. Prayer and thanks in the glorious name of Jesus, amen!