January 1, 2012: Beneath the Surface – Dave Neuhausel

One of the best ways to respond to a difficult question is with a better one.  This is one of those instances where Jesus performs one of his signature jedi mind tricks – a classic bait and switch.  Jesus is responding to an insincere question from some of his enemies who are only trying to trap and condemn him.  

But Jesus is not just reversing the dialogue back on his critics in order to simply expose and embarrass them, he is artfully changing the conversation.  Jesus always takes what we offer on the surface, our good and bad intentions alike, and draws out and reveals our deepest desires and hiddenness.  He takes our small ideas and points to the Big Idea behind it…  One might call this subversive…