Read: Matthew 21:28-22:33; Mark 12:1-27; Luke 20:9-40
Jesus began teaching them through parables about what it takes to be a disciple. First you must obey what the Father asks you to do. It was the son that obeyed that was commended. He told them the parable about the vineyard and the owner who leased his vineyard to the tenant farmers. They were evil and killed all the owner’s messengers and finally his son. He was referring to the religious leaders. God had given his law to them to lead the people in righteousness. Instead, they had been evil and killed all the prophets and were going to kill God’s son. God would take the way to enter the kingdom away from them and give it to the lowest of the earth who would treasure it and obey him.
In the tradition of the Passover, the people were to find a lamb that was spotless. They were to bring it into their house and observe it for 10 days to make sure there was no blemish on it. Jesus was the Lamb of God who was being observed to see if there was any fault in him. Today we read of the religious leaders testing him and trying to trap him into saying anything that they could use against him. Jesus astounded them with his wisdom and could not be trapped. He spoke of earthly things like taxes and heavenly things like resurrection from the dead. All the gospels say that the leaders were amazed by his answers and were silenced.
Lord, you say that when we are brought before the judges of this world that you will give us the right words to say. May our defense of your gospel amaze and silence our offenders.
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