When Pilate asked the Jews what Jesus had done wrong, they retorted with a self-defensive question, "If he wasn't a malefactor (evildoer), we would not have delivered him up unto thee." Moral of the story... If you can't get a straight answer out of someone, they're probably up to something crooked!
The religious leaders' position and esteem in the eyes of their followers had been badly damaged by the light of truth. As Jesus taught the people with the authority of Scripture and the power of the Spirit, the hypocrisy of the Pharisees et al. was fully exposed. Their best plan for revenge was to kill this new threat, but they were forbidden by Roman law to do so. Their only hope was to trump up some kind of political charge, but they knew it would not withstand close scrutiny. Their manipulation of the system would only work if they could bluff and bluster their way through the process.
When confronted by spiritual truth, what is my response? Do I dodge the question, and defend myself by rehearsing my good works? When the Holy Spirit prompts me to speak to someone about their need of a Savior, do I offer up excuses about my busy-ness? Do I allow a person's appearance to provide a sputtering rationale about how unreceptive I think they might be? Lord, keep my heart plowing a straight furrow with You, and let my mouth be taught to speak accordingly!
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