SUNDAY, 17 MARCH 2024
TEXT:
Luke 20:1-18
1.
Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and
preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the
elders, confronted Him
2.
and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these
things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?”
3.
But He answered and to said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer
Me:
4.
The baptism of John-was it from heaven or from men?”
5.
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will
say, ‘Why then did you not believe Him?’
6.
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded
that John was a prophet.”
7.
So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
8.
And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these
things.”
9.
Then He began to tell the people this parable: “A certain man planted a
vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long
time.
10.
Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give
him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent
him away empty-handed.
11.
Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully,
and sent him away empty-handed.
12.
And again he sent a third and they wounded him also and cast him out.
13.
“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son.
Probably they will respect him when they see him.’
14.
But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This
is the heir. Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’
15.
So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore what will the
owner of the vineyard do to them?
16.
He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.”
And when they heard it they said, “Certainly not!”
17.
Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this what is written: ‘The stone
which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone’?
18.
Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it grind
him to powder.”
(New Revised Standard Version Holy
Bible)
TOPIC:
CHALLENGING THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
In
today’s reading, the Jewish leaders fought back by challenging the authority of
Jesus. This is the way of the world: anytime you challenge corruption, it will
fight back even more ferociously.
Religious
organizations are no exception. If you dare fight fraud, moral decadence,
public stealing, lateness to work, etc, be ready for a strong backlash.
Jesus
was teaching and proclaiming the Good News in the Temple when the chief priest
and teachers of the law arrogantly interrupted Him by questioning His authority.
The
parable of the tenants is set against the background of the frequent
confrontation between the religious leaders and Jesus. It was also a reference
to Jesus’ impending death in their hands because He was consistently against
their misusing the Temple.
QUESTION:
Do you encounter criticisms whenever you challenge moral decadence?
PRAYER:
Give me the courage, dear Lord, to endure any backlash that may arise due to my
stand against sinful behavior, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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