Luke 20:20-26
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 Jesus has just finished telling a story that reflected badly on the religious leaders of Israel. Now read Luke 20:20-26 noting any words, phrases or ideas that stand out as you read.
The religious leaders now actively begin looking for a way to get rid of Jesus, and they know that if they can get him to speak out against Caesar, the Romans will arrest him. But they do not know who they are dealing with. Just as the vineyard tenants came to believe that they had more authority over the vineyard than did the owner, many of the religious elite of Israel have failed to recognize that they are not the final authorities regarding the faith of Israel. Jesus is God in the flesh.
Stop to meditate on this description of Jesus written by the Apostle Paul to the church at Colossae:
“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:15-16
Take a moment to share your thoughts and feelings about this with Jesus.
Read Luke 20:20-26 again.
The image of Caesar indicates an item that was made to represent and honor Caesar. But people were created in God’s image and are meant to represent and honor God. The coin may belong to Caesar, but Caesar and every other human who ever lived belongs to God.
What do you think or how do you feel about the notion that you belong to God?
Take some time to consider whether you have completely yielded yourself to God. Is there anything that you are attempting to hold back? Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you about this and then wait to see what comes to mind.
What might Jesus be calling you to do today?
Will you?
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