Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Luke 20:20-26.
TEXT: The scribes and the chief priests ... 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 (see Luke 20:19-20).

The leaders of the Jewish high court are furious
at Jesus, especially for the parable He just spoke
against them. But since the crowds are hanging
on Jesus' every word, the leaders cannot directly
attack Him. They know they will only be able to
destroy Him if they can turn the people against
Him.

They decide to attack Him indirectly. So they
send spies posing as genuine believers to trick
Jesus into saying something that will get Him
into trouble with the Roman governor. First, they
flatter Jesus to try to throw Him off; then they
slyly ask, "Is it lawful for us to give tribute to
Caesar or not?"

It's a devilishly brilliant trap. If Jesus answers,
"Yes, you should pay taxes," He'll risk losing
His popularity with the pilgrim crowds. But if He
says, "No," Pilate will be forced to move in and
quickly silence this troublemaker, especially
with the dangerous crowds gathered for the
Passover Feast.

But Jesus perceives their craftiness and
recognizes their trap. So He asks them to show
Him the coin used to pay the tax. When they
produce the denarius He asks whose image
and inscription it bears. They answer, "Caesar's.
" Jesus then answers, "Then render to Caesar
the things that are Caesar's and to God the
things that are God's."

Unable to catch Jesus in His words before the
multitudes, they marvel and grow silent.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Satan sent so many enemies to
lay traps for You, yet none were able to trip
You up. Forgive my pride and failings and guide
my steps that I may honor You in my words
and actions. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

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)