We should mention at this point that these short articles are based on the Topic Wise Bible studies on YouTube. Before sharing these words, we have a short song of worship, and there is also a short closing prayer at the end. Usually, the hymns we choose are related to the theme. For example, this time we chose “Christ Preeminence”, “He Hideth My Soul”, and “He Lives”. If we can put the Lord first, the Lord, who is a faithful God, will naturally give us words of wisdom when we are in need. In the parable of the evil tenants, it is mentioned that Jesus is the stone that the builders rejected and has become the corner stone. Those who believe in Him will never be ashamed. He will hide our souls in the cave of the rock. Moreover, God is the God of living people. With Him, everyone is alive. We serve a resurrected Lord. The Lord lives and lives in our hearts today. Because some people prefer to read articles, and some people feel that it is more friendly to have voices on YouTube, so we decided that sharing will basically appear in two forms. The article is written later, so when we find it can be expressed more clearly, or when we occasionally need to correct errors, we will put them in the article.
First, we saw two examples of wise words, one is how Jesus answered the question of where his authority comes from, and the other is the question of whether taxes should be paid to Caesar. He knew very well that His time had not yet come, so He used the words of wisdom to reply to these questions. We also saw that He would set an example for us to obey the laws of the world at that time. When His time comes, He will answer the truth directly, not cherishing His own life, and finally be nailed to the cross, completing salvation and giving us a chance. Second, the parable of the evil tenants is so clear that even the scribes and chief priests knew that it was referring to them. They were the evil tenants who nailed Jesus to the cross, and Jesus Christ was the stone that the builders rejected but became the cornerstone, the foundation of the church. Finally, we heard Jesus talk about the resurrection of man, and we learned that those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but since they are resurrected, they are the sons of God, and God is the God of the living.
1. Examples of words of wisdom
“On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him, and they spoke, saying to Him, “Tell us by what authority You are doing these things, or who is the one who gave You this authority?” Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you a question, and you tell Me: Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?” They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it came from. And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things.””(Luke 20:1-8)
We see that Jesus did not answer their questions directly, but asked them in return. Then we see why He responded with a rhetorical question that put them in a dilemma and they had to say we don’t know where it comes from. According to the scriptures, since they did not believe John the Baptist, they just lied because they were afraid of the people.
The same incident is recorded in Matthew 21:23-27 and Mark 11:27-33. We see that Jesus wisely answered the question when He was challenged on this occasion. In fact, Jesus had long ago told the scribes and Pharisees that he was the Son of Man and could forgive sins on earth, since the scribes and Pharisees knew that except God, who could forgive sins? (See Luke 5:17-26) But they didn’t believe it. The scripture says, ” But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, …”( 1 Corinthians 12:7-8) “For He (Jesus) whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”(John 3:34) This is an example of words of wisdom.
In fact, this is not the only time, there is another time here, “So they (the scribes and chief priests) watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But He detected their trickery and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.”(Luke 20:20-26)
At that time, the Jews were under the rule of Rome. Other than the death penalty, they could punish others with any penalties, so they wanted to find a reason to hand Him over to the governor’s authority and sentence Him to death. And this time He obviously answered them with wise words, leaving them with no excuses.
Knowing that His time has not yet come, He will also be our example to obey the laws of the world. Let’s first see what Paul says? “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”(Romans 13:1) Peter also said, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.”(1 Peter 2:13-14) But this does not mean blind obedience, but it should be under this very clear principle, just as Peter and the apostles said: “…We must obey God rather than men.”(Acts 5:29)
The Lord Jesus is our example of doing this. In His observance of earthly laws, we can see in these verses, “When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.””(Matthew 17:24-27)
This is of course a miracle. He knew in advance that this would happen, but this is a strange method and may be like what some people say. It is training Peter’s patience, because Peter is a fisherman and usually uses a fishing net, and fishing requires great patience. Usually, fish don’t take the bait when you cast the fishing rod. If fish take the bait that soon, it will really be the Lord’s mercy.
When His time comes, He will answer the truth directly, not cherishing His own life, as the scripture says, “…And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!””(Matthew 26:63-66)
Here we also see Jesus’ way of asking others to reveal first who He is and then replying, “You have said it yourself.” They had never been able to find a reason to kill Him before. Now that the time has come, He directly gave them a factual reason. He did not cherish his own life, as long as, “…yet not as I will, but as You will.”(Matthew 26:39)
This was true not only before the Jews, but also before the governor Pilate, as the scripture records, “Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.””(Matthew 27:11) Finally, “Then he (Pilate) released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”(Matthew 27:26) In order to complete salvation, He was crucified on the cross, gave up His life, and gave us a chance.
2. The parable of the evil tenants and its explanation
“And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time. At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send another slave; and they beat him also and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed. And he proceeded to send a third; and this one also they wounded and cast out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!” But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them.”(Luke 20:9-19)
This is a parable and not an actual thing. We must clearly distinguish between the two when reading the Bible. But the parable was so clear that even the scribes and chief priests knew that it was referring to them. Aren’t they the evil tenants? Didn’t they ultimately crucify Jesus? Jesus Christ is the stone that was rejected by the builders. Just as Peter said, “And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.”(1 Peter 2:4-8)
We see that God’s standards are very different from those of man. The same stone is precious to those who believe, but it becomes a rock of offense to those who do not believe. In addition to building a spiritual house for ourselves as living stones, we are also holy priests. Everyone has the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18,20) and has the responsibility to preach the gospel, because we know deeply that “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17) Some people may say, since it is predestined, do we still need to preach? Yes, we still need it, and the reason is that we don’t know who the predestined one is? Maybe the intended people believe because of your preaching!
In fact, whether a person can believe it or not depends on the person who listens. If a person feels that he does not need salvation, it will be difficult for him to receive salvation. But we must be willing to preach and fulfill our obligations and lead by example. Just like the time when Jesus became flesh, He spoke and performed many miracles, but obviously, not so many people believed. We shouldn’t be discouraged because some people don’t believe when you preach. In short, we “…are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.”(Ephesians 2:19-20) Please notice that the road to sanctification is gradual. You can know this by looking at Abraham’s experience. Don’t tell people that they can be justified by faith is enough. That’s just the beginning.
3. Jesus talks about the resurrection of man
”Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection), and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; and the second and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. Finally the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.” Some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” For they did not have courage to question Him any longer about anything.”(Luke 20:27-40)
The Sadducees thought that they could make things difficult for Jesus, but they did not realize that they did not understand that those who are resurrected from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, but since they are resurrected, they are the sons of God, and God is the God of the living. No wonder they don’t dare to ask him anything anymore.
(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)
(You can get all articles in “https://a-christian-voice.com/” under “On spiritual understanding about life.”)
aChristianVoice 一個基督徒的聲音 