“They talked it over among themselves. If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, the people will stone us because they are convinced John was a prophet. So they finally replied that they didn’t know. And Jesus responded, Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things” (Luke 20:5-8, NLT).

One day near the end of His earthly ministry while Jesus was teaching in the Temple, the religious leaders challenged His authority. Jesus responded to the challenge by asking them by what authority did John the Baptist teach and baptize.

It didn’t make any difference to these leaders what was the truthful or right answer, but rather what was the politically correct response.

That’s the problem with political correctness–there’s no conviction in it; you don’t have to take a stand on anything. It’s all about compromise.

These leaders talked it over among themselves and came up with an answer that didn’t hurt anybody’s feelings or didn’t make anybody mad, especially at them!

Then, in response to their pusillanimous reply to His question, Jesus told a parable to demonstrate how God’s judgment would be on Israel’s leaders for rejecting God’s Son. Jesus told them that His way is not the easy way–but it’s the only way. And, as a result, His way becomes an obstacle for compromisers: “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on” (vs. 17-18).

But even His story had no effect (except to make them more angry) because the leaders watched for opportunities to denounce Jesus by sending out spies to get Him to say something against the Roman government (vs 20).

When faced with difficult issues, too often we talk things over among ourselves to see what the answer should be instead of talking it over with the One Who is the Answer!

Following Jesus is not a compromise we make, it’s a conviction we live by because His way is the only way to eternal life!

“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NLT).