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Scripture reading – Luke 20
Putting today’s Scripture reading (Luke 20) in its historical setting, we find Jesus ministering in Jerusalem and the Temple during the Passover week. The religious leaders found Jesus’ presence and teaching intolerable. He will soon be betrayed by Judas, endure trials that were a travesty of justice, be condemned, and be led away to be crucified.
Christ’s Enemies Questioned His Authority (Luke 20:1-8)
Rather than cower and retreat from His enemies, Jesus taught in the Temple and preached the Gospel of the kingdom of heaven to the people (Luke 20:1). Knowing Christ was in the Temple, His adversaries, “the chief priests and the scribes…with the elders,” came and confronted Him. They demanded, “Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?” (Luke 20:1-2; Matthew 21:27-27; Mark 11:27-33).
Evidencing divine wisdom and discernment of the hearts of men, Jesus answered his enemies with a question and said, “I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?” (Luke 20:3b-4). Fearing the people’s wrath, the religious leaders refused to answer Christ’s question (Luke 20:5-7). Jesus then “said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things” (Luke 20:8).
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Luke 20:9-19)
Jesus turned from His enemies and began to teach the people the Parable of the Vineyard (Luke 20:9-19; Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12). It is the story of “a certain man [who] planted a vineyard, and let [rented or leased] it forth to husbandmen [tenant farmers], and went into a far country for a long time” (Luke 20:9). When the owner of the vineyard sent his servants to collect the profits, the tenants refused. Instead, they beat the owner’s servants and sent them away (Luke 20:10-12).
Finally, the master sent his son and heir (Luke 20:13). He reasoned that the tenants would surely respect his son and pay what was owed (Luke 20:13). The tenants, however, “reasoned among themselves, and [said] This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him” (Luke 20:14-15a).
Jesus asked the people: “What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?” (Luke 20:15b). Matthew recorded in his Gospel that the people answered Jesus and said that the owner of the vineyard “will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons” (Matthew 21:41).
Jesus agreed with their answer and said, “He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid” (Luke 20:16). Quoting Psalm 118:22, Jesus made it clear that the application of the parable was personal, for those who rejected the Son would themselves be rejected (Luke 20:17-18).
The parable’s application was so apparent that the chief priests and scribes realized it described their wicked schemes against Jesus. Thus, they renewed their plot to kill Him “and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the [Roman] governor” (Luke 20:20).
A Question Concerning the Resurrection (Luke 20:27-38)
During my years in ministry, some have questioned if the relationship between husband and wife is binding and will continue in heaven. This has been a concern, especially for those with more than one husband or wife (whether due to divorce or death). I am assured that believers will know one another in heaven. I am also confident that there will be no marriage. We read in Luke 20:35, “But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world [heaven], and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage” (Luke 20:35).
Closing thoughts –
Jesus skillfully silenced the scribes with His answers (Luke 20:39-40), then turned to His audience and warned them, “Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation” (Luke 20:46-47).
As it was in Christ’s day, so it is today. Many burden others with demands to be favored even as they ravage the poor and vulnerable. Justice is often wanting in the world but be assured that every man will receive his due according to his works (Matthew 16:27).
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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