Art Thou the Christ? Tell us. And He said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe. Luke 22:67
Guards laughed at the little man who showed up at the gates to the palace. He tried to tell them he was a messenger from the king of France, but they laughed the louder. He tried to show them his credentials, but they refused to even look at them. He tried to explain that his cheap and dusty clothes were borrowed after his own belongings were lost in a shipwreck, but the guards just shook their heads and turned their backs. This little imposter was not getting into the palace, not on their watch! Suddenly the prince appeared, and asked what the commotion was all about. The guards told him their side of the story. But the prince looked at the visitor, and recognized an old friend from the French court. He ordered the gates open, and personally escorted the little man inside, to the embarrassment of the guards. The French emissary had found someone who would believe him, unlike the Lord Jesus in our text.
Why did the elders and scribes demand the Lord Jesus tell them if He was the Christ? It was not because they wanted to know. They were simply asking Him to put His claim on record, so they could condemn Him for making a false claim. Jesus correctly identifies their motive. They had rejected Him as their Messiah, and would reject all of His claims. They wanted only to dispose of Him. And in that, they are joined by most of the world. The so-called Christian religion rejects Him as anything but a figurehead on which to hang their rituals and traditions. Other religions dismiss His claims altogether. Opponents of God have nothing but ridicule for all who do accept Christ for Who He is. There is no room in the world for a Saviour Who came to seek and save sinners, because the sinners refuse to take responsibility for their sin and its consequences.
We sorrow today over a world that has proved the truth of Jesus’ words: ‘If I tell you, ye will not believe’. Today, it is us who they refuse to believe. They reject our testimony, dismissing us as religious fanatics who are out of touch with modern day reality. They dismiss the Gospel as being irrelevant to their lives and needs. But that must never stop us from presenting to them the testimony of faithful and loving Christians. Nor should it prevent us from attempting in every way possible to present the Gospel message to them. Jesus has already told us that they will not believe. But a few will believe.
If the Lord Jesus could not make his enemies accept His claim, why should we be surprised when those around us do the same? – Jim MacIntosh