Christian Reflection and Prayer

March 9, 2013

Read Luke 20:9-19.
TEXT: And He began to tell the people this
parable (see Luke 20:9).

The representatives of the Jewish high court
have been humiliated in front of the crowd.
They just want to slink back to the high
priest's house, but Jesus isn't done with
them yet. Since they won't be honest
enough to say what they truly feel about John
the Baptist, Jesus uses a parable that
answers their original question and asserts His
authority to carry on His ministry.

In His parable Jesus uses a few brush strokes
to quickly paint a picture of God's people. He
planted them in the Promised Land, as a man
would plant a vineyard. He lent His nation out
to the priests and religious leaders, who should
use His Word to tend His people and prepare
them to serve one another and glorify God with
their lives.

When the leaders failed to lead His people
correctly, God sent servant-prophets to call them
back to faithfully fulfill their work of leading the
nation in repentance, faith and good works. But
the leaders beat and mistreated the prophets and
sent them away empty-handed. Finally, the owner
sends His beloved Son-and they plot to kill Him.

The drama is intense. The leaders know Jesus is
speaking about them, and their rage and fury grow,
even as their hidden plan to murder God's own Son
is openly exposed by Jesus to all the pilgrims, who
have gathered at the temple courts in Jerusalem.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You loved the Jewish leaders and used
a parable they understood to reveal the enormity of
what they were planning to do. Help me see my sins
and run to You for forgiveness and peace. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Luke 20:1-8.
TEXT: "Tell us, by what authority You do these
things, or who is it that gave You this
authority?" (see Luke 20:2).

The Jewish Sanhedrin or high court led by the
high priest is the recognized authority in
Jerusalem. They aren't crazy about Jesus
driving the animals and moneychangers out of
the temple and teaching huge crowds right under
their noses. So a group from the Sanhedrin
comes to ask who gave Him the authority to do
these things.

They expect Jesus to say His authority came
from God. Then they will demand proof, which
they will refuse to recognize, thus discrediting
Him in front of the crowds. Jesus recognizes their
intended trap. He politely answers, "I also will ask
you a question. Now tell Me, was the baptism of
John from heaven or from man?"

Suddenly, their trap is sprung, but they are the
ones caught in it! They could give an answer that
would please the crowds, saying John's authority
was from God, but they know Jesus will ask why
then did they not obey him and receive his baptism.
If they tell Him what they honestly think, saying
John's authority did not come from God, they fear
the crowd will rise up and stone them to death
because the people held John to be a prophet.

So the only answer they can give is no answer at
all: "We don't know where his authority came from."
This is hardly a suitable answer, since they are
considered the leaders who are responsible for
religious instruction in Israel. They are completely
humiliated by the answer they have to give.

Jesus turns it back against them. If you will not
answer Me, "Neither will I tell you by what authority
I do these things."

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, Your authority indeed came from
God Your Father, the same source of John's authority.
Help me accept Your authority and trust in You always.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Luke 19:45-48.
TEXT: And He entered the temple and began
to drive out those who sold
(Luke 19:45).

The Jerusalem temple was a reminder of God's
presence with His people, and animal sacrifices
were a central component of the worship there.
As the worshipper laid his hands on the animal's
head and confessed his sins, God transferred
his guilt to the animal, which was put to death in
his place. All these sacrifices pointed ahead to
Jesus. He is the Lamb of God who would take
our place and be put to death for the sins of the
whole world.

Since Jewish pilgrims travelled great distances
for the Passover Feast, they were unable to bring
along their own sacrificial animals. Jesus has no
problem with sacrificial animals being available for
sale, or with moneychangers converting foreign
currency into temple currency. His problem is
where those animals were being sold-in the
courtyards of the temple.

In holy wrath Jesus drives all of them out. He
quotes Isaiah, "It is written, 'My House shall be
a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den
of robbers'" (see Isaiah 56:7). It is bad enough to
make themselves robbers by selling the sacrificial
animals at unreasonable prices. But even worse,
they carry on their trade in the very courtyard of
the temple, where worshippers are trying to pray
to God amidst all these distractions.

The Jewish leaders are infuriated that Jesus would
challenge their authority and interfere with their
trade. But they cannot destroy Him because the
great crowds of pilgrims are hanging on His words.
As we'll see in the coming days, His teachings
will grow more pointed, and His popularity will
continue to increase.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, Your Son drove out all distractions
from Your temple courts. Clear my mind of all
distractions that I may worship You with all my
heart, mind and soul. I pray in Jesus' Name.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)