What Do You Really Think

Mark 11:29-32  Jesus said to them, “I will ask you a question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer me.” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From men’?”—they were afraid of the people, for all held that John was a real prophet. 


The debate is on. What answer will fit with the crowd. They know what they think, but that doesn't even seem to be in the discussion. Their concern is that their power or popularity will be hurt by the wrong answer even if it is what they firmly believe. Jesus knows they will be paralyzed by this simple question and he was right. 


It makes me think of Washington and the election or re-election agenda. Everything seems to be a poll for this and a poll for that. It might be nice to care what the voters think, but it might be even more important to really know what the candidates think. We might find out that they will answer any way they need to get elected and then serve the ones with the money that bought their election campaign. 


I'm not sure we are any better when it comes to religion. We speak or don't speak based too often on the fear of the reactions of others. So what do you really think? Integrity is important.