Cunning Traps

Jesus and his disciples returned once more to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached him and said to him, "Buy what authority are you doing these things? Or who gave you the authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I shall ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was John's baptism of heavenly or human origin? Answer me." They discussed this among themselves and said, "if we say, 'Of heavenly origin, 'he will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But shall we say, 'Of human origin'?" - they feared the crowd, for they all thought John really was a prophet. So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." Then Jesus said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Consideration: Jesus recognizes the chief priests, scribes, and elders, were attempting to set him up with a question. So what does he do?, he asks them a question in reply. Understanding that they were out foxed by Jesus, they did not answer his question, and Jesus likewise did not answer their question. 
This is a teaching moment for all of us, especially when the wolves of today come at us and try to devour us by their cunning traps. Let the name of "Jesus" be praised. Amen.