Questioning Motivations (Mark 11:27-33)

When Jesus is confronted by the religious authority for His actions in the temple, they were not after real answers. They only asked Him a question to trap Him. If He answered that His authority came from God, He would be attacked for blaspheme; if from some religious source, they would find a way to play that system against Him. Jesus, knowing this, turned the tables upon them with the same sort of inquiry. Jesus didn’t have the time nor the inclination to play at politics.

Perhaps this little “throw away” account is thrown into the Passion Week by Mark to remind us readers to follow Jesus’ example. Rather than play at power politics, theoretical theology, arguments and debates, we need to keep our eyes fixed on the things that matter.