Clarity and Certainty

 
       The story about giving Caesar what belongs to Caesar (see former post) closes with “taken back by my answer, they fell silent and slipped away” (Luke 20:26. All quotations are from Jesus, In His Own Words). On the same day, Jesus answered another question, this one having to do with life after the resurrection, adding that the Sadducees “didn’t have the courage to ask me anything else” (Luke 20:40). Then, after answering a question posed by the Pharisees, Jesus noted, “From that point on no one had the courage to ask me any more questions” (Mark 12:34). Finally, Jesus took a question asked by some Pharisees and turned it back on them; and, since no one was able to answer, said, “From that day on no one dared to question me further” (Matt. 22:46). These four consecutive encounters (and Jesus’ response in each) yield an important insight as to how Jesus lived out his life: Fully informed he spoke with clarity about every issue. So much so that his adversaries were left with mouths wide open and afraid to pursue the discussion.
       Did this unique ability belong to Jesus alone or should it be characteristic of us as well? As you would know from my posts, I believe that the incarnate Jesus was fully human and did not live out his life by resorting to the use of his divine nature. If he did, the charge to live like Jesus would be preposterous. But he lived among us as one of us and we are to live as he did. What does that imply?
       One thing is that he was fully informed. No one was able to ask him a question he couldn’t answer. I believe that every believer should make scripture the fundamental book for life. We need to know how Yahweh dealt with his people prior to the coming of Christ. We need to be able to answer any question about how Jesus lived, what he taught, how he died for our sins, and how he will return. We ought to be able to turn immediately to relevant verses for answers to every basic problem of life
       One result of a thorough knowledge of scripture is the ability to answer relevant questions with clarity and certainty. The believer should approach all of life in a way that mirrors his Master. Tough call? Yes, but we follow the example of one who was able to combine certainty with compassion.