Luke 20:1-8
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Remember that previous to today’s passage, Jesus entered Jerusalem and drove the buyers and sellers out of the temple. Now read Luke 20:1-8 noting any questions that arise as you read.
The religious elite have grown impatient with the cat-and-mouse game they’ve been attempting to play with Jesus. To them he is an uneducated upstart who has amassed a following from the margins of society, and now they demand an explanation.
Rather than defend his authority, Jesus answers them with a question – the answer to which can only highlight their hypocrisy. John very clearly identified Jesus as the promised Messiah, so if they affirm John as a prophet, they have to affirm Jesus as the Messiah. There is no other choice; they either have to take him seriously or reject both Jesus and John.
Contemplate this quote from C.S. Lewis:
“Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher.”
Talk openly with Jesus about anything you are thinking or feeling about this.
Read Luke 20:1-8 again.
The contrast between the religious leaders and the people who come to listen to Jesus’ teaching is striking. To those with ears to hear and hearts to receive, Jesus gives Good News and hope. To the religious elite Jesus’ message sounds like nothing more than a threat to their carefully constructed view of the world.
For the final moments of this time of reflection, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and mind to reveal any false notions about Jesus you might be holding onto. Then consider whether you are prepared to let Jesus form your ideas about him and about God the Father.
Now get quiet and listen to Jesus.
Is there anything Jesus is inviting you to reconsider or do today?
Will you?
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