20:8 - Jesus refused to answer their question that was really a trap, because they refused to answer his trap question. They came to argue with the sole purpose of destroying his credibility and bringing him down...there was no way to change their heart on any issue, so Jesus ended the conversation. We need to remember the wisdom of walking away from a useless argument.
20:16-17 - They understood exactly what Jesus was talking about in the story and they react with, "Surely not!" Meaning - surely our leadership will no be so corrupt and disobedient to bring about the destruction of Israel. But the master sent his son to make things right with the tenants and the tenants killed him - just like in the story. They brought destruction on themselves.
20:17ff - There is an old Jewish midrash (commentary) on Esther 3:6 that applies here..."If the stone falls on the pot, alas for the pot. If the pot falls on the stone, alas for the pot." This is a parallel to what Jesus is saying. Basically, woe to anyone who stands in opposition to God. If you attack the rock that is Jesus Christ you will be broken...and if you ignore the rock that is Jesus, you will be crushed. Don't stand in opposition tot he Son of God.
20:27 - They don't even believe in the resurrection, but they are so bent on destroying Jesus that they make up some absurd hypothetical question about the resurrection. Jesus answers them anyway, because even though they come out of malice, he sees an opportunity to point people to the true nature of God. We must always keep our eyes open for opportunities to point others towards God (Even annoying, hateful others).
20:47 - Serious warning to those who like to "play church" or pretend to be godly and holy when they only seek their own selfish gain. I for one would like to miss out on the greater condemnation part! Let's be real...love God...love others and live humbly.
6 comments:
so in 9-19, the tenants are the leaders of Israel?
God planted a vineyard...his truth...his word and the tenants took it over. When prophets came to warn them about stealing the vineyard for themselves, prophets came and they beat them down. Then God sent his only son and they murdered him because he was trying to show them the folly of their ways and the path to truth.
Wouldn't that be foreshadowing? Did no disciple pick that up, or am I just completely off?
whoaa
he probably looked them in the eyes and told them that!
i can't express how..dang.. Jesus
I'm not going to try..
I echo your sentiments Stevo...Jesus is undescribably awesome.
I never thought about the stone this way. Don't go against it, and don't ignore it. It seems like if ignoring it is not the answer, then we should stand up to it, the stone. But neither is the correct answer, though it seems like we are out of options. The truth is that our success revolves around the stone, and not around what we do to it. Therefore, we should stand with it, not ignoring it, or standing against it. Father, help me to constanly remember that I am yours and i need to do everything I can to stand for you and not against you. I love you...
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