JESUS: TESTS BY THE JEWISH AUTHORITIES
Throughout His public ministry, Jesus faced numerous tests from the Jewish elite, particularly the Pharisees and Sadducees. These tests were intended to challenge His authority and discredit His teachings. Despite their attempts, Jesus responded with wisdom and truth, revealing the depth of His divine knowledge and purpose.
INSTANCES OF TESTING
1. Request for a Sign from Heaven:
“The Pharisees and the Sadducees came and, to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven” (Mt 16:1). They sought a miraculous sign to validate His claims, but Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith and reliance on signs.
2. Question on Divorce:
“Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?’” (Mt 19:3; Mk 10:2). Jesus pointed them back to God’s original design for marriage, emphasizing the sanctity and permanence of the marital union.
3. Question on Paying Taxes:
“The Pharisees, trying to entrap Jesus, asked him, ‘Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?’ Knowing their malice, Jesus said, ‘Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?’” (Mt 22:15-18). He skillfully avoided their trap by stating, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Mt 22:21).
4. The Greatest Commandment:
“A Pharisee who was a scholar of the law tested him by asking, ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’” (Mt 22:35-36). Jesus summarized the entire law with the commands to love God and love one’s neighbor.
5. Healing on the Sabbath:
“Again he entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They (the Pharisees) watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him” (Mk 3:1-2). Jesus healed the man, demonstrating that doing good and saving life transcends Sabbath regulations.
6. Demand for a Sign:
“The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him” (Mk 8:11). Jesus, grieved by their hard-heartedness, refused to give them a sign, knowing their insincerity.
7. Question on Eternal Life:
“There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, ‘Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’” (Lk 10:25). Jesus directed him to the commandments and then illustrated the principle of love through the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
8. Woman Caught in Adultery:
“While Jesus was in the temple area, the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.’” (Jn 8:3). They asked whether they could stone her to death as per law. “They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him” (Jn 8:6). Jesus responded, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (Jn 8:7), turning the focus on their own sinfulness.
JESUS’ RESPONSES AND OUR LESSONS
Despite these relentless tests, Jesus remained steadfast and unshaken. His responses not only silenced His critics but also provided profound teachings that continue to guide believers. His encounters highlight several key lessons for Christians:
1. Dependence on God’s Wisdom: In every test, Jesus relied on God’s wisdom, demonstrating the importance of seeking divine guidance in all situations.
2. Focus on Mission: Jesus’ primary focus was on accomplishing His divine mission. Tests and obstacles, whether from adversaries or even close friends like Peter (Mt 16:22-23), did not deter Him.
3. Prayer for Strength: Jesus taught us to pray for deliverance from tests and evil, as seen in the Lord’s Prayer: “do not subject us to the test, but deliver us from the evil one” (Mt 6:13).
4. Love and Compassion: Even when tested, Jesus’ responses were rooted in love and compassion, exemplified in His interaction with the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:3-11).
REFLECTION
As Christians, we will face tests and trials in our spiritual journey, often from unexpected sources—family, friends, or adversaries. These challenges can serve as opportunities to demonstrate our faith and reliance on God. Jesus’ relatives doubted Him (Jn 7:5), and even His closest disciples, like Peter, misunderstood His mission at times (Mt 16:22-23). Yet, Jesus’ unwavering commitment to His Father’s will serves as a powerful example for us.
In times of testing, let us draw strength from Jesus’ example, seeking God’s wisdom and remaining steadfast in our faith. We should pray for the strength to overcome challenges and the grace to respond with love and compassion. By doing so, we can fulfill our mission and bring glory to God, just as Jesus did.
May we always remember the words of the Apostle James: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (Jam 1:12).