In readings like those we have today, I am reminded of the show downs in old cowboy westerns. In the westerns, the two opponents would meet at opposite ends of a street at high noon. The shoot out would begin. The last man standing would win.
Jesus is in a show down of words with the religious leaders. They are trying to trip him up…catch him in a theological miss-step. They are trying to find charges to bring against him and to discredit him as a teacher. They want to shoot him down figuratively and if they can actually kill him, they won’t shed tears.
Jesus wins the verbal battles. His opponents are silenced. He ‘out-wits’ them. He even confronts them on their inability to recognize the prophets who came before him. They don’t understand who he is. They don’t like his success with the people. They don’t like how and what he teaches. They are out to get him.
But, the ultimate show down is yet to come.
