Luke 20:20

Luke 20:20 says, And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.  The scribes and Pharisees sent spies to watch Jesus, listening for anything that He might say that they could take to the governor to accuse Him of.  The religious leaders would rather turn to the governmental authorities who held them in captivity than to submit to the authority of Jesus.  These were the leaders of God's chosen people.  We need to pray that we as people who call ourselves followers of Christ never become the same way today.  Verse twenty-one adds, And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:  These spies, who were really only looking for something to charge Jesus with to the authorities, asked Him about His teaching that a person should only follow the way of God, which they flatter Him by saying He taught correctly.  They seemed to think that they were the ones who decided whether what Jesus taught was right or not.  We need to make sure that we don't reach the point where we think that what we believe determines whether it is what God says is true or not.  Verse twenty-two continues, Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?  These spies then asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.  It seems that people have always thought that the best way to discredit someone is by questioning monetary beliefs, especially those that relate to the government and taxes.  Verse twenty-three states, But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?  Jesus knew what they were trying to do, and asked why they tempted God.  We will never fool God with false motives.  Verse twenty-four adds, Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s.  Jesus told them to show Him a penny and asked whose image was on it, and they said Caesar’s.  We as Christians have never been told by God to attempt to avoid paying taxes.  Verse twenty-five continues, And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.  Jesus said that they were to give to Caesar the things that were his, and to God the things that were God's.   Sometimes, those who profess to be Christians don't want to do either, but want to keep everything for their own personal use.  This is not what God's word teaches us.  Verse twenty-six concludes, And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.  These spies could not find a reason to accuse Jesus, especially before all those who were following Him, and they marvelled at His answer and held their peace.  They did not accept His answer as the authority on the subject, but simply marvelled at His answer because it kept them from being able to accuse Jesus of anything before Caesar.  People today may marvel at the word of God, not because they believe it, but simply because they can find no reason to discredit it.

Luke 20:9

Luke 20;9 says, Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.  Jesus once more taught the people with a parable, this time about a man who planted a vineyard and let it out to a husbandmen before going to a far country for a long time.  God is the One Who planted the vineyard, His laws, and the nation of Isreal were the ones He entrusted it to. Verse ten adds, And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.  At the time of the harvest, the owner sent a servant to receive the fruit of the vineyard that was due him, and they beat the servant and sent him way empty handed.  God sent His prophets to the people of Isreal throughout history to call them to an accounting, and they were often beaten and sent away empty of any acknowledgment of the peoples debt to God.  Verse eleven continues, And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.  The owner then sent another servant, and the people treated him even worse than the first.  Verse twelve concludes, And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.  The owner was patient with them, and sent a third servant, who was then wounded and cast out.  As already stated, God sent many prophets to the people of Israel, and they were often abused by the people of Israel, who were supposed to be God's people.  Verse thirteen states, Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.  The owner of the vineyard then decided to send his beloved Son, whom he said the people would reverence when they saw him.  Jesus, the beloved Son of God had been sent to the people of Israel at that time, and the heavenly Father felt that they would certainly accept and honor Him.  Verse fourteen adds, But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.  Instead, when the husbandmen saw the son, they decided to kill Him and keep all the inheritance themselves.  The people of Isreal, especially the religious leaders, did not want to giveup their authority.   Verse fifteen adds, So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?  Jesus said the husbandmen casr the son out and killed him.  This is what people do when they reject Jesus Christ today.  Jesus then asked them what the owner would do to the husbandmen.  Everyone needs to ask what God will do to them if they do not accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse sixteen continues, He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.  Jesus told those around Him, the people of Israel, that if the husbandmen killed the owners son that he would destroy them and give the vineyard to others.  They replied God forbid, which would indicate that they knew that Jesus was referring to them.  After the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God did send His message of salvation to the Gentiles, and that us.  Verse seventeen declares, And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Jesus asked what it meant when God's word said that the cornerstone would be rejected.  This is the question that we must ultimately ask ourself.  What does it mean if we reject the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord.  Verse eighteen adds, Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.  If we fall on the cornerstone, we will be broken of all our self pride, but if we reject Jesus, the cornerstone will destroy us.  Verse nineteen continues, And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.  The chief priests and scribes attempted to seize Jesus, because they realized He was talking about them.  Those who will not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are still attempting to destroy Him today. 

Luke 20:1

Luke 20:1 says, And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,  Once again when Jesus was preaching and teaching in the temple, the scribes and chief priests with the elders and they confronted Him.  These would have been most of the religious leaders.  Verse two adds, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?  These religious leaders wanted to know whose authority Jesus was teaching under, since they had not authorized Him to do so.  There may be religious leaders today who question someone who is preaching and teaching about Jesus who gives them the authority, but they should just listen and make sure that what they are preaching and teaching is the truth of God.  We can become so caught up in religious authority that we begin to leave God out of who is authorized to preach and teach if we aren't careful.  Verse three states, And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:  Jesus said He would ask them one thing and they could answer Him.  Though we are not Jesus, if we are doing what He has called us to do, I believe He will give us the answer.  Verse four adds, The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?  Since John the Baptist had been followed by many, Jesus asked these religious leaders by whose authority he had baptized people, by the authority of heaven or by the authority of men.  Our authority to teach and preach, even if endorsed by religious institutions, must come from God.  Verse five says, And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?  These religious leaders where in a quandary.  They attempted to figure out the answer that would be the best to support their authority on their own without asking God about it.  If we find ourselves in such a situation as Christians, or even as Christian leaders, our first step should be to pray about it.  These religious leaders said that if they said that John the Baptist's authority was from God, then they would have to answer the question of why they didn't believe him.  Verse six adds, But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.  These religious leaders then said if they said that John the Baptist's only baptized by the authority of man and not God that they would be stoned, because too many people believed that John the Baptist was a prophet.  Religious leaders might not be stoned today, or even removed from their position, if they attempt to stop someone who is preaching and teaching without their authorization. but they will still have to answer to God as to why they did so.  Verse seven continues, And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.  These religious leaders, those who were supposed to be closest to God and be His representatives said they could not say under whose authority John the Baptist baptized.  It would be sad indeed if religious leaders today can not say whether someone is acting under the authority of God when they preach and teach the gospel, and even worse if they attempt to stop them simply because they did not authorize them to do so.  Verse eight declares, And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.  Jesus said if they couldn't say Whose authority John the Baptist acted under, then He wouldn't answer their question about Whose authority He was preaching and teaching under.  If they could not recognize and acknowledge that John the Baptist was acting under the authority of God, would they recognize and acknowledge that Jesus was.  If we are acting under God's calling and authority today as we preach and teach, we really don't have to have the authority of anyone to do so, even religious institutions. 

Luke 19:39

Luke 19:39 says, And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.  When the disciples and those around Jesus began praising God, some of the Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him to rebuke His disciples.  The Pharisees, some of the most religious of the people of Israel, were always attempting to discredit Jesus and His disciples.  Some professed Christians today do the same thing, putting rituals  and self-righteousness above a real relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse forty adds, And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.  Jesus told the Pharisees that if His disciples held their peace that the stones would immediately cry out to witness for Him.  We need to realize that God does not need us to get His word out, but He allows us to be a part of sharing the gospel.  Verse forty-one states, And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,  When Jesus got near Jerusalem, He looked at and wept over it.  He was not weeping because of what awaited Him there, but was weeping for the spiritual state of the people of God's Holy City.  I believe He is probably weeping for the religious state of America today, since we call ourselves a Christian nation, but don't live as though we are.  Verse forty-two adds, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.  Jesus said that if they knew even in that day the things that brought them peace, and that was faith in and obedience to the heavenly Father and the coming Messiah, that they would have been at peace, but that those things were hidden from them.  These things, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to bring us salvation are not hidden to us today, but too many people still refuse to see them.  Verse forty-three declares, For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,  Jesus said the day was coming when the people of Jerusalem would be utterly defeated, and if we do not accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord  there is coming a day when we will be forever destroyed spiritually.  Verse forty-four adds, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.  Jesus said Jerusalem would be laid even with the ground, and that they did not know the time that this would happen.  When Judgment Day comes, everything in this world will be laid bare, and we cannot know when this will happen, so we need to be dedicated to living by faith in Jesus Christ every day.  Verse forty-five says, And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;  Jesus went to the temple and began to cleanse it of all the things that were being done for material reasons and not for spiritual.  He might have to cleanse some churches of some of the things that go on today while people proclaim that they are being done to worship Him.  Verse forty-six adds, Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.  Jesus said God's word called the Temple a house of prayer, but they had turned it into a den of thieves.  I believe we need to still make sure that God's house is a place of prayer and worshipping Him and that we do not allow it to become something less.  Verse forty-seven states, And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,  After cleansing the Temple, Jesus taught there daily.  As God's people today, we need to daily teach others about God.  The chief priests and scribes were not happy with what Jesus had done and sought a way to destroy Him.  Many, many people today are still attempting to destroy Jesus, even some who profess to be His followers.  Verse forty-eight adds, And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.  The scribes and chief priests didn't know what to do, because the people were listening to Jesus attentively.  As long as we listen attentively to Jesus and follow Him by faith, the people of the world will always be at a loss as to how to destroy our relationship with Him.

Luke 19:28

Luke 19:28 says, And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.  After the parable about the rich man and his servants, Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem.  As followers of Christ, we must continue on toward our heavenly home.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,  Verse thirty adds, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.  When Jesus got near Bethphage, he called two of His disciples to Him, and told them to go into the city, where they would find a colt who had never been ridden tied.  We are not told which two disciples, but it really doesn't matter, as they all should have been there to serve Jesus in whatever way He chose, just as we as followers of Christ should be today.  Verse thirty-one continues, And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.  Jesus told the two disciples if anyone asked them why they were taking the colt, to tell them the Lord has need of him.  I don't believe Jesus was sending them to steal the colt, but just to borrow it for a little while, and He is not going to send us to do anything illegal today.  Verse thirty-two states, And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.  The two disciples who were sent went on their way and found things as Jesus said they would be.  When God sends us on a mission, things will be as He says they will be, but we will never know if we don't go.  Verse thirty-three adds, And as they were loosing the colt, The owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?   Verse thirty-four continues, And they said, The Lord hath need of him. The owners of the colt did come to the disciples and ask them why they were untying the colt, just as Jesus had said they might.  Jesus will never send us into a situation where He does not know the problems we may encounter.  The disciples told them what Jesus had told them to say, and that was that the Lord had need of Him.  We have God's promise that He will always give us the words to say when we are obediently serving Him.  The owners then had to have given them permission to take the colt, otherwise they would not have been allowed to leave with it.  I don't believe that Jesus will send us to take something from someone without their permission, but if He sends to borrow something from someone, He will also have led them to allow us to.  Verse thirty-four says, And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.  When these two disciples returned with the colt, they put their garments on it and then set Jesus on it.  Like them, we must be willing to give up the things that may bring us comfort in order to serve Jesus.  Verse thirty-six adds, And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. As Jesus went on His way, those around Him placed their clothes along the route that He was traveling.  At this point, they were still willing to acknowledge Jesus as a king, but not really as the King, the Messiah, as would soon be shown.  It is not enough to get caught up in a crowd mentality and profess to follow Jesus without really accepting Him for Who He is.  Verse thirty-seven declares, And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  As Jesus came down from the Mount of Olives, multitudes of disciples began to rejoice and praise God for the mighty works they had seen.  They were following Jesus more for the miracles that He had done than because of Who He was and what He had come to do.  Sometimes today people will profess to follow Jesus when they see some miracle happen, but they really will not have put their faith in Him.  Verse thirty-eight adds, Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.  They were acknowledging with words Who Jesus was, but they were still looking for an earthly king who would reestablish the people of Isreal as a mighty nation.  We cannot serve  Jesus for material reasons only and truly be His servant. 

Luke 19:16:

Luke 19:16 says, Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. The first servant came to his master and told him that he had earned ten pounds from the one.  Nothing that he gained was really his, but still belonged to his master.  Whatever we gain for God as servants of God is still God's.  Verse seventeen adds, And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.  The servant was rewarded by being given authority over ten cities, but he still didn't own them.  Everything that we have authority over as Christians really belongs to God.  Verse eighteen states, And the second cme, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.  The second servant came and told his master that he had earned five pounds from the one.  He did not do as well as the first servant, but he had used the pound wisely.   We will not all produce as much fruit for God because we don't all have the same talents, but we must produce fruit to the best of our ability.  Verse nineteen adds, And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.  This servant was also rewarded for his success, being given authority over five cities.  God will never give us authority over more than we can handle.  Verse twenty says, And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:  Verse twenty-one adds, For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.  The third servant came to his master with the original pound, which he said he kept hidden because he was afraid to lose it.  He also attempted to put the responsibility of his not gaining anything for his master on his master.  If we do nothing for God out of fear of failure, it is not His responsibility.  Verse twenty-two adds, And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:  The Master told the servant that he would judge him out of the words of his own mouth.  The servant knew the nature of his master, but did not act in accordance with it.  As followers of Christ, we know the nature of God, and we should act in accordance with it.  Verse twenty-three continues, Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?  The master asked the servant why he didn't at least turn the pound over to the bank so it would have at least have earned something.  Hiding the things that God has blessed us with is the worst thing we can do.  Verse twenty-four declares, And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.  The master told them to take the pound from the servant and give it to the servant who had been given the ten pounds.  There was no authority over another city though.  If we seem to be accomplishing nothing for God today because of fear of failure, we might want to ask who has our pound.  God's work is going to be accomplished with or without us, but it would be easier for this to happen if we used what God has blessed us with to accomplish His will in the world.  Verse twenty-five adds, (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)  The other servants pointed out to the master than the servant already had ten pounds.  We don't need to be concerned about how much other Christians have, especially if they have gained it by serving God faithfully.  Verse twenty-six declares, For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. Jesus said that those who had produced fruit for God would be rewarded with more, and to those who haven't, even what they started with would be taken away.  If we do not use what God has blessed us with for the advancement of His kingdom and for His honor and glory, we should not be surprised when we have Him take it away.  Verse twenty-seven adds, But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.  Jesus then said that His enemies, those who did not acknowledge His authority over them, would be slain before Him.  It is better to be a servant and be a part of His kingdom, even if we are unprofitable, because salvation is not gained or kept by our works, but by faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. 

Luke 19:11

Luke 19:11 says, And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.  At this time, Jesus spoke another parable, because the people believed that the kingdom of God would appear immediately.  Some Christians today believe that the second coming of Jesus Christ will happen very soon, but this is not something that should be a priority for Christians.  We simply need to be witnessing, worshipping, and working for Jesus Christ.  Verse twelve adds, He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.  A rich man was going into a far country to receive a kingdom and return.  After His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus was going into heaven, a far country, to receive His kingdom, which would include those who put their faith in Him, and one day He is going to return.  Verse thirteen continues, And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.  The nobleman gave his ten servants one pound each and instructed them to use it wisely while he was gone.  As servants of Christ, He has given each of us certain abilities, and we are to use them wisely until He returns again or we depart this world by death.  Verse fourteen states, But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.  His citizens hated him and said they would not have him reign over them, just as many people today hate Jesus Christ, although He has never wanted anything but what is best for them.  Verse fifteen adds, And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.  The nobleman called his servants to whom he had given money to him, so he could know what they had done with his money that he had entrusted them with.  One day, we will give an accounting to God for what we have done with the things that He entrusted us.  Still, it is better to be a servant of God who has done very little for Him than to not be a servant at all. As followers of Christ, servants of God, we will always His servants.