Universal Utterings

for December 15, 2025

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12-15-2025 Matthew 21 v2327 Then Why Did Not You Believe Him

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The Gospel of Matthew Ch 21 Verse 23 Thru 27

23 When he had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” 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 21:23-27, we encounter a profound moment in Jesus' ministry, characterized by confrontation and authority. Here, Jesus has just entered the temple and begun teaching, drawing the attention of the chief priests and elders. They approached Him, questioning His authority: “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?” Their inquiry, however, is not merely a pursuit of knowledge; it reveals their skepticism and unwillingness to recognize His divine mission.

In response, Jesus poses a counter-question about the baptism of John the Baptist—was it from heaven or from men? This tactic exposes the Pharisees' dilemma; they fear the repercussions of openly supporting John's divine claim while risking the wrath of the people who believed in John as a prophet. Their inability to answer not only highlights their lack of conviction but also their refusal to believe in the truth presented to them, even when it was right before their eyes.

Jesus' interaction with them emphasizes the critical importance of faith and acknowledgment of divine authority. He does not merely seek to evade their question but to challenge their hearts. Why did they not believe Him? The answer lies in their hardened hearts and commitment to their own interpretations rather than accepting the radical truth Jesus embodied.

So, I ask you, dear readers: Why did you not believe Him? If only we’d believe, as faith opens doors to understanding and transforms our lives. Just as those rulers missed the reality of Jesus’ mission, let us not miss the opportunity to embrace His truth today. If only we’d believe! 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 pray:

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.

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

12-15-2025 Matthew 21 v2327

**Then Why Did You Not Believe Him**

In the temple halls, the questions fly,

A crowd gathers 'round, their whispers high.

"By what authority do you speak?" they demand,

Challenging the truth, with hearts unplanned.

"Jesus, the teacher, with wisdom profound,

Stands firm in the midst, where doubts abound.

He turns their own question, like a mirror held,

To reveal their hearts, where truth is disspelled.

"John’s baptism, was it from heaven's embrace,

Or merely a man’s, lost in time and space?"

The leaders confer, their minds in a twist,

Fearful of choice, of what they might miss.

"If we say from God, he’ll ask why we turned,

But man-made origins leave our hearts burned."

Caught in their plots, they choose silence instead,

No answer to offer, with pride left for dead.

So Jesus replies, with a calm, steady grace,

“Neither I tell you, nor leave this place.

For truth cannot bow to the whims of the day,

Authority comes from a higher eternal way.”

In this sacred dance of power and faith,

The wise often stumble, revealing their wraith.

For in seeking to challenge, they lost what is true,

The heart of the question was a call to renew.

Let us listen with hearts that are open and free,

For authority comes from the One who we always see.

In each whispered word, let love take the lead,

For in seeking the truth, will our spirits be freed. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

December 15, 2025 @ 04:38 AM EST

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