Faith without religion.
Luke 20:15-36 Bible Teaching
During the pandemic, we reflect on Jesus' teachings in Luke 20:15-36. The parable of the vineyard symbolizes his rejection by Jewish leaders and the opening of God's kingdom to all.
Numbers: Census, Levites, and Sacred Duties
In the midst of the global shutdown during the sixth week of the coronavirus pandemic, we find ourselves reflecting on the teachings of Jesus as recorded in Luke 20:15-36. This passage, shared during a teaching session taped on May 5th, 2020, and aired on May 10th, 2020, delves into the parable of the vineyard and the rejection of the son by the husbandmen, symbolizing the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders.
The parable begins with a landowner who sends his son to collect the fruits of his vineyard, only for the son to be cast out and killed by the husbandmen. Jesus uses this story to foreshadow his own fate at the hands of the Jewish leaders, who would ultimately reject and crucify him. He poses a poignant question: “What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?” The answer, as Jesus explains, is that the vineyard will be given to others, symbolizing the opening of God’s kingdom to the Gentiles.
Jesus further emphasizes his role as the cornerstone, a stone rejected by the builders but chosen by God as the foundation of a new spiritual house. This cornerstone represents Jesus himself, upon whom the faithful are built into a holy temple. The parable serves as a warning and a prophecy, highlighting the consequences of rejecting the Messiah and the shift of God’s kingdom to those who would bear its fruits.
The teaching also addresses the Sadducees’ challenge regarding the resurrection, where Jesus clarifies that in the resurrection, earthly institutions like marriage do not apply. Instead, those worthy of the resurrection are likened to angels, living as children of God.
This passage invites us to reflect on the nature of God’s justice, the role of Jesus as the cornerstone of faith, and the transformative power of the resurrection. It challenges us to consider our own response to Jesus’ teachings and the implications of living as part of God’s spiritual house. As we navigate these uncertain times, may we find strength and guidance in these timeless truths.
