Read Luke 20:9–19
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Jesus begin to tell in Luke 20:9? What is the parable about? What did the man do with his vineyard? Where was he going? What did he send at what time for what reason (Luke 20:10)? What did the vinedressers do to the servant? Then what did the owner do (Luke 20:11)? And what three things did they do to him? What did the owner do in Luke 20:12? What two things did they do to the third? Whom did the owner then send (Luke 20:13)? What is his reasoning? What do the vinedressers plan to do and why (Luke 20:14)? What do they do to the son (Luke 20:15)? What does Jesus ask? How does Jesus answer (Luke 20:16)? How do “they” respond? What does Jesus do in Luke 20:17? What does He ask them about? What does He say about the stone from that text (Luke 20:18)? Who sought to do what, when (Luke 20:19)? Why? What stopped them?
Jesus has evaded the most recent attempt to bring Him in on charges of unauthorized (horrible to the Romans) desecration of the temple (horrible to the Jews), a plan the Jewish leaders must have thought cleverly calculated to kill Him (Luke 19:47–20:8).
He could have just let them continue with their plan (they would anyway) so that He could die as He came to do (He did anyway). So, why does He tell this parable?
Because He’s merciful. He tells them plainly (so plainly that they know exactly what it means, Luke 20:19) the danger into which they are placing themselves. How did it go for all those other generations who rejected and abused prophets from God (Luke 20:10-12)? If that is so, then they are in great danger, for Jesus’s parable says that this generation is about to do far worse (Luke 20:13-15) and will suffer the devastating consequences (Luke 20:16).
They are sure that such could not possibly happen to them (end of Luke 20:16), but Jesus assures them that the Scripture has prophesied it (Luke 20:17), and that when He becomes the chief cornerstone, it will be with devastating and destructive consequences for all who are at odds with Him (Luke 20:18).
This is a mercy, like the accusations in Acts 2:36 and Acts 7:51–53 are a mercy. Only in the one were the people cut to the heart for repentance. But in every instance, it was a mercy to be confronted. Jesus didn’t have to show His enemies this mercy, but He is marvelously merciful, so He did so.
And Jesus didn’t have to show you the mercy of confronting you with the fact that He is God in the flesh, Who died for sinners. Jesus didn’t have to show you the mercy of telling you plainly that all illusions of other power will evaporate, and He will have all power forever and ever. Jesus didn’t have to show you the mercy of warning you that if you add to all your other sins, the greatest possible sin—the rejection of Christ as Savior and King—you will suffer horrible destruction forever.
Jesus didn’t have to show you this mercy. But He is marvelously merciful, so He has done so. Therefore, accept His identity, accept His authority; yield to Him! Kiss the Son before His wrath is quickly kindled (cf. Psalm 2).
How have you responded to Christ’s merciful warning about trying to rule your own life for your own pleasure?
Suggested Songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH118B “The Glorious Gates of Righteousness”
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