Universal Utterings

for December 16, 2024

A Godcast

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12-16-24 Matthew 21 v2427 Heavenly or Human Origin

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The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 21 V- 24 through 27

24 Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

In Matthew 21:24-27, we find a pivotal moment where Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders of His time. They demand to know by what authority He performs His miracles and teachings. Instead of directly answering their question, Jesus poses a counter-question about the baptism of John—whether it was from heaven or of human origin. This exchange highlights a profound aspect of Jesus’ ministry and His approach to authority.

Jesus’s refusal to explicitly reveal His heavenly origin can be understood on multiple levels. Firstly, His mission was inherently relational and transformative. By not answering directly, Jesus invites the religious leaders—and, by extension, all who hear this exchange—to reflect on their own beliefs and understanding of authority. It emphasizes that faith is not merely about intellectual assent but about personal encounter and revelation. Jesus often used parables and questions to provoke thought and to draw people into a deeper engagement with truth.

Secondly, Jesus knew the hearts of the religious leaders. Their question was not one of genuine inquiry but rather a challenge, seeking to undermine His authority. By responding in a way that exposed their lack of insight, He effectively turned the question back on them, revealing their inability to discern the divine in their midst. This moment serves as a reminder that spiritual truth often requires humility and openness to revelation.

Lastly, Jesus’s choice to not disclose His heavenly origin underscores a central theme of His ministry: the Kingdom of God is revealed in unexpected ways. Rather than a straightforward declaration of authority, Jesus embodies divine truth through His actions, parables, and ultimately, His sacrificial love. This approach invites all of us to seek understanding not just through words but through the transformative power of faith and relationship with the divine. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

12-16-2024 Matthew 21 v2427

**Heavenly or Human Origin**

In the temple's heart, where shadows play,

The leaders gathered, their minds in dismay,

With questions sharp, like arrows they shot,

"By what authority do you teach this spot?"

Jesus stood calm, His gaze steady and clear,

He knew their hearts, their motives laid bare,

"Answer me this," He replied with a smile,

"The baptism of John—was it heaven’s while?"

They huddled in whispers, their wisdom in doubt,

For truth’s heavy weight, they could not route,

"If we say 'from heaven,' He'll ask why we don’t,

Believe in his word, the truth we can’t flaunt."

And if we say 'from men,' the crowd may arise,

For John was a prophet, revered in their eyes,

Caught in a web of their own tangled schemes,

They chose silence instead, stifling their dreams.

Jesus, unyielding, with wisdom so profound,

Revealed their blindness, where truth could be found,

Not in mere answers, but in hearts open wide,

To see the divine, where the humble abide.

In this sacred moment, a lesson unfolds,

The kingdom of heaven, not bought or controlled,

It whispers in questions, in faith’s gentle call,

For those who seek truth, find the grace of it all.

So let us remember, as we journey along,

That wisdom often dances in questions, not songs,

And sometimes the best way to know heaven’s plan,

Is to seek with open hearts, as Jesus began. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

December 16, 2024 @ 05:04 AM EST

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