It’s the Passion week. Sunday was the palm branches. Monday was the temple clearing (again). The Pharisees are pretty ticked by this point. Jesus claimed authority in the temple.

This is Tuesday. Jesus is in the temple teaching, and the chief priests and the scribes are circling Him while He’s teaching. It appears that the supreme council of the Sanhedrin has sent feet on the ground to disrupt Him and try to create cause for a trial. The Sanhedrin is made up of priests, scribes and rabbis, and Levites.

They asked, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you the right?”

Jesus answered their question with a question. He asked them, “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

They talked amoungst themselves, and quickly realized that they didn’t know the answer. They prefered to say John was merely human authority, but they feared the crowds, for John was very popular. They claim ignorance.

Why didn’t they just claim that John the Baptist had divine authority? Do you remember Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, or John 1? Jesus was introduced by John the Baptist who ‘prepared the way’. If they said John’s street credit was divine, then how could they lay claims on the One who bore special witness by Him?

Brilliant!

Then Jesus tells the Parable of the Evil Farmers. It’s a very easy parable to understand. All the characters and setting are easily identifiable. Jesus clearly answers their question in the parable. But it isn’t in the direct means that they required. He also subtly lets them know that He knows their plans to kill Him.

Let us never forget how bold, courageous, and wise our Lord is.

Luke 20:1-19.

Most importantly, always approach Christ with humilty, and an eagerness to learn. Come with a spiritual hunger.

Never come with presumptions or an agenda.

Remember, you are not God, and He is. It won’t work out for you.