Faithful on Fridays Blog

Jesus’ Last Week: Part Three

Traveling through Jesus’ last days on earth we now arrive at His encounter with the religious leaders; it isn’t pleasant. Remember, Jesus was the Jewish Messiah sent from God to redeem and free His chosen people, but He didn’t meet their expectations consequently many rejected Him.

The Parable of the Tenants (Luke 20:9-18) gives a clear picture of the consequences that await anyone who rejects God’s Son. This crucial truth needed to be taught before He left this world.

The story centers on the master of a house who planted a vineyard, protected it, and left tenants to care for it. The reference to Israel as a vineyard and themselves as the caretakers would be obvious to them.

For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are His pleasant planting; and He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry! Is. 5:7

The fruit from this vineyard was to be collected by his servants, but the tenants rejected and persecuted them. Lastly, he sent his beloved son whom they also rejected and finally executed. The inheritance was already theirs, but they couldn’t accept his requirements: fruit from the vines. Earlier Jesus had equated the barren fig tree with faith; undoubtedly faith remained the central issue. 

These religious leaders knew Jesus’ story was about them (Mark 12:12-13), some even secretly believed (John 12:42) but the remainder sent spies to trap Him in His words for the ultimate arrest. 

Since the leaders perceived Him as a prophet, Jesus referred to Ps. 118:19-24 where the Messiah is referred to as the cornerstone. He’s the foundation of faith, the only way to salvation, yet He causes a breaking (Luke 20:18). Why is this crucial to our Savior? 

Possibly because whoever you are, your pride will ultimately be broken. It can be voluntary, falling on that stone in repentance, or forced, ‘it will crush you’. You choose. The Kingdom of God is the inheritance of any believer; walking in victory and freedom after you’ve allowed His Spirit to humble you. This is a necessary step. The false spirituality of the leaders showed no humility, Jesus is telling us that faith isn’t about keeping rules like the Pharisees, but a humble relationship with Him. 

The second parable, the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14), shows again how salvation was rejected. In this intimate celebration of faith the king opened the invitation to all those who will come but needed His special wedding garment to attend. What garment?

… for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 

Allow the Spirit of God to break you and receive His robe now because He’s coming back to join you in that wedding celebration.