Luke 20:1-18
Today's Passage: Luke 20:1-18
The religious leaders are challenging the authority of Jesus. They want to know where he gets his authority to teach and heal because authority is what has kept them in power. That sort of authority is seductive. We all want power to some degree. And when someone or something threatens to take away that authority we will fight to protect it, and that is exactly what the religious elite are trying to do with Jesus. They want Jesus to say that his authority comes from God so they can accuse him of blasphemy and remove his influence.
Jesus responds by telling them a parable about wicked tenants of a vineyard. What this parable is pointing out is how the religious leaders have consistently ignored, mistreated, and killed prophets of the Lord. In other words, those who have spoken or acted by the authority of heaven have been silenced by the religious “experts.” Why is that?
Like I said, power is seductive. Just take my 4-year-old daughter for example. No one told her that she was her brother’s boss, she just took that authority on her own. She assumes that she knows what’s best for him, so she bosses him around. Don’t we try to do the same thing with God? He saved us and has given us his instruction for life, but we assume that we know what’s best, so we end up trying to call the shots. We want that authority even after we give our lives to Christ, but that idea is completely contrary to the Gospel.
Romans 10:9 says, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is…” our co-pilot? Our cheerleader? Our spiritual advisor? No, our LORD! That’s what giving your life to Christ really means. To surrender your heart to the Lordship of Jesus and believe that he has conquered death on your behalf.
So as you read this passage and consider the authority of Jesus you have one of two responses. Fight against him to retain your power or humbly bow your heart to his Lordship. Anything less than total surrender is total disobedience. That doesn’t mean there isn’t grace. To this day I still fight for control, but as followers of Jesus, there should be a lifestyle of submission and reorientation to Christ.
Colossians 1:18-20
“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
Family Discussion
Written By: Joe Weaver
The religious leaders are challenging the authority of Jesus. They want to know where he gets his authority to teach and heal because authority is what has kept them in power. That sort of authority is seductive. We all want power to some degree. And when someone or something threatens to take away that authority we will fight to protect it, and that is exactly what the religious elite are trying to do with Jesus. They want Jesus to say that his authority comes from God so they can accuse him of blasphemy and remove his influence.
Jesus responds by telling them a parable about wicked tenants of a vineyard. What this parable is pointing out is how the religious leaders have consistently ignored, mistreated, and killed prophets of the Lord. In other words, those who have spoken or acted by the authority of heaven have been silenced by the religious “experts.” Why is that?
Like I said, power is seductive. Just take my 4-year-old daughter for example. No one told her that she was her brother’s boss, she just took that authority on her own. She assumes that she knows what’s best for him, so she bosses him around. Don’t we try to do the same thing with God? He saved us and has given us his instruction for life, but we assume that we know what’s best, so we end up trying to call the shots. We want that authority even after we give our lives to Christ, but that idea is completely contrary to the Gospel.
Romans 10:9 says, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is…” our co-pilot? Our cheerleader? Our spiritual advisor? No, our LORD! That’s what giving your life to Christ really means. To surrender your heart to the Lordship of Jesus and believe that he has conquered death on your behalf.
So as you read this passage and consider the authority of Jesus you have one of two responses. Fight against him to retain your power or humbly bow your heart to his Lordship. Anything less than total surrender is total disobedience. That doesn’t mean there isn’t grace. To this day I still fight for control, but as followers of Jesus, there should be a lifestyle of submission and reorientation to Christ.
Colossians 1:18-20
“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
Family Discussion
- Ask your kids/roommates who’s the boss of the house?
- If Jesus is the Lord of your life - then how does that affect your everyday life?
- Are there parts of your life that you haven’t surrendered?
Written By: Joe Weaver
2 Comments
Great message! Romans 10:9 and Colossians 1:18-20 are powerful verses! These verses for me illustrate the Gospel beautifully in a simple way.
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