"They said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, 'Why do I speak to you at all? I have much to say about you and much to condemn; but the one who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.'" (John 8:25-26)
Jesus is in the temple in Jerusalem, having a discussion with the religious authorities. Everything he says, they question. Not out of genuine curiosity, not from a place of humility, but in order to entrap him, get him to blaspheme so they may prosecute him. They are afraid of him, his power, and his populist movement and they want to be rid of him. Using the law, of course. It all has to be properly done.
As long as there have been people, there have been arguments - personal, political, religious. How can we best protect our family? What is the best way to care for the poor among us? What does God require of us? I feel strongly one way, you feel equally strongly another way. If we are both utterly convinced of our own rightness, we are not trying to learn from these arguments. We are merely trying to win, to convince the other person of our rightness. And that is not a discussion. It is bullying. We often will claim as "authority" for our position something we have read or heard. The other person does the same, using a different "authority." Whose authority is the real one? It goes on and on.
Jesus opts out of these conversations when it is clear that compromise or learning is not part of the deal. He has better things to do than sit around and engage in fruitless, even harmful, debate. He knows what he is about. He is clear that his authority is God, and (here is the kicker) God doesn't need to be defended. If they don't want to buy in, fine. He will go about his business, knowing his own truth. He doesn't need them to validate his opinion or believe as he does. There are people to be healed, words of comfort to be imparted, a mission of love to fulfill. Those who fear and oppose him claim "the law" as their authority. He says he does not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.
When we engage in conversation about difficult and divisive issues, can we be more like Jesus, willing to walk away rather than trying to convince someone else of our rightness? Jesus knew he could not bully people into believing in him; he loved them into transformation.
May we be centered enough in God to always respond in love.
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