April 20
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We have some great readings from today's passages. In Joshua we see a glorious and blessed time in the life of Israel. There are moments throughout the Old Testament of blessing, obedience, but also of disobedience and cursing. Today's passage is one that displays the Lord blessing his people with the land promised to them. "So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there".
In Luke there are some wonderful parables and stories that ultimately illustrate the great authority and power of Jesus. The authority and majesty he displays show himself to be divine. The things he does and says would not be possible unless he was God incarnate. Jesus is asked about his authority and he answers back with a question. He trips them up in a question they cannot answer. But I think what's behind this conversation is Jesus showing that it is not for the pharisees to question him, but for him to question them. In the parable of the tenants there is a story of tenants who killed the king's servants and then the king's son, in hopes of taking the vineyard. This is an obvious reference to what the pharisees and people of Israel had done before. The people had killed God's prophets and now they will kill Jesus. This is a not so subtle attack on the pharisees actions. Then he says that the stone the builders reject will become the chief capstone. This means that though the people will reject Christ, Christ will overcome his enemies and form the basis of the new covenant community. A very fascinating story. Finally, Jesus is able to say that it is fine to 'give to Caesar what is Caesar' in paying taxes (those of you who now have jobs know something about this). But once again this is showing that Jesus has the authority to make this statement. Caesar only has authority because he gave it to him.
Jesus' authority is the highest authority.
ReplyDeleteAnd the parable of the vineyard workers goes hand-in-hand with yesterday's parable of the talents. In both parables, work is expected to be done. But in today's parable, we also should respect the owner's son.