Luke 20:1-26 ~ in the Temple and preaching the Gospel

Voice from On High, painted by James Tissot

Luke 20:1-26

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio


1 One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.” 3 He answered them, “I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” 5 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone [the head of the corner]’?

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

21 So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius [a day's wage for a laborer ]. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” 25 He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 26 And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

I really enjoy the visuals James Tissot provides. It's easier to remember the beautiful, world-wide awe-inspiring Temple being brought to the Truth Jesus gives. It is far easier to see how angry the religious elect would be to have Jesus stand in 'their' Temple and hear Him say they are poor tenants. Jesus inflamed the religious elect not with arrogance, more with inexplicable self-confidence. And the correct placement of religion being overcoming by a personal love for God. It threatened their place as head of God's Temple. The religion of the day required so much knowledge. Jesus is talking about mercy and love. Jesus was not in awe over religion, but God. The Living God is Love.

What we have on this earth is given in tenancy - we are here a short time. Jesus says be a good steward. All the things we enjoy - the things in which we delight - the things with which we busy ourselves - would recover if we were not to appear

Psalm 103
As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

We are like the days of grass. Yet when Jesus went, the Temple never did recover. For 2,000 years there have not been sacrifices and there has not been a Temple since 70 A.D. - when Jesus would have died a natural death.

The Temple officials refused to open their hearts to Jesus. The world went around them and Christianity shined the Light of Christ. The Bride of Jesus Christ, the Church, has had times when it had to be reminded to love Jesus.

Christians, in the strength of Jesus Christ, overcame the martyrdom required for 400 years. Christians overcame the would-not-be martyrs who fled - taking the light of Jesus Christ with them as they ran for their lives. Christians fed and hospitalized the physically hungry during the middle ages. They learned and brought forth new farming techniques by not being part of the conquering or conquered history sweeping and re-sweeping the earth. The Churches fed and hospitalized the people during the plagues. They built Churches outside of the Church walls, leading to the end of middle ages living behind walls. Churches taught people to read. Men envied the Light going forth and sought to capture its influence. The Light of Christ did not shine as brightly for the looting and blood-lust of the world powerful using the Bride of Christ for individual power and glory.

The Church fought and recovered. Protestant Churches shined the Light of Christ. Powerful men looked elsewhere for power when the Churches split responsibilities. Hope during war, hope during peace for personal responsibility and growth. Learning to be stewards for God's provision and Jesus' ambassador. Plant your vines, God will direct the growth.




Botanically impossible 600 year old grapevine planted outside the window of Rita's monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene at Cascia, Italy.








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