You may recall this parable was in Mark, one of the other books of the Bible we’ve walked through. I love it when Scripture confirms itself. There are a few differences, but there would be anytime different storytellers tell the same story. What is significant here is the religious leader’s response. They didn’t want to lose their authority with the people if they did to Jesus what they really wanted. That time would come soon enough. For now, they were people pleasers.
Jesus is brilliant in how he uses stories to call out the leaders. I’m not sure the people catch on, but the leaders sure see themselves in the story. So if they can see themselves as the wicked farmers, don’t they realize they are behaving badly? It’s all part of their delusion, I suppose. So how does this speak to us today? Continue reading “Luke 20:9-19 – Cornerstone”
I admit it. I giggled a little when I read today’s passage. I loved Jesus’ response, or non-response! I loved his attitude, didn’t you? Now, I feel a little bad about it — these men were religious leaders demanding respect, and I giggled. I’m totally in Jesus’ camp here, and it makes me angry when they try to corner Jesus.
We have been following Jesus’ steps through the book of Luke as he has been focused on his ultimate destiny in Jerusalem. In today’s reading, he arrives. But before he gets there, he sees Jerusalem off in the distance. You know that feeling when you’ve been traveling for a long distance and then you see it – your destination ahead. A bit of relief, some joy, realization that you are almost there!
Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Jesus’ ministry had continued, and he had not been crucified? That could never have happened because Jesus was destined for the moment of his death and resurrection. But at this high point in his ministry, people were really getting into it and seeing him for who he was.
This may be a wake up call for some of us. I found it interesting that Jesus used this as an illustration that the kingdom is not yet fully here. But the more I ponder and reflect, I see the correlation. Jesus wants us to think about how we act and respond to his gifting while we wait for his return. When he returns, the kingdom of God will be fully realized.
