On Line Bible Study - For the Week July 25-31, 2011
Lesson 503
Luke 20: 2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”
---
17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:“‘
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?
---
22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
---
33 ... at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
---
41 Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David?
---
Luke 20 leads us into "five controversies" that occur between Jesus and the religious leaders:
Luke 20: 2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”
---
17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:“‘
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?
---
22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
---
33 ... at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
---
41 Then Jesus said to them, “Why is it said that the Messiah is the son of David?
---
Luke 20 leads us into "five controversies" that occur between Jesus and the religious leaders:
- Jesus' authority.
- The treatment of the One God has sent.
- Taxes.
- The Resurrection.
- The identity of the Messiah.
Darrell Bock refers to this section as "theological warfare in its most dramatic form". My initial reaction to this comment - from my post-modern 'emergent' perspective - is one of fatigue. I'm tired of people fighting over theology! But then ... with prayer meetings hosted by governors and every politician concluding their campaign rhetoric with a "God bless the USA" and clergy getting themselves arrested at the Capitol - I guess there is no way around theological controversy.
"Authority" does not raise its head here for the first time. This is an on-going concern of the religious leaders. Do you recall how this exchange ends up? Jesus asks them a question about John the Baptist; they are unwilling (because they are afraid!) to answer. So Jesus refuses to answer their question to him. In other words, who gave them the authority they claim for themselves? Have you ever thought about that with regard to yourself? We don't have any trouble questioning the authority of others; where do we come by our authority?
"Authority" does not raise its head here for the first time. This is an on-going concern of the religious leaders. Do you recall how this exchange ends up? Jesus asks them a question about John the Baptist; they are unwilling (because they are afraid!) to answer. So Jesus refuses to answer their question to him. In other words, who gave them the authority they claim for themselves? Have you ever thought about that with regard to yourself? We don't have any trouble questioning the authority of others; where do we come by our authority?
The next scenario has Jesus telling a parable about a man who had a vineyard and rented it out to some farmers. When the man tried to get some of the fruit from his renters, they beat up the servants who had been sent by their Master. Thinking the renters would have more respect for his son, he sent him only to have him be killed. Jesus is making it pretty clear that the religious leaders are rejecting him, and as far as Jesus is concerned, this means they are rejecting the One God had sent to them. Their behavior will ultimately have a more destructive impact on themselves than on Jesus. The teachers of the law were very cognizant of the implications of Jesus message, and they hated him for it.
Then there is the issue of 'taxes'. Talk about a timely issue! We might put it this way: Does it make more sense to pay taxes to the government or give our money to charitable organizations? (Like the church?) We human beings have long wanted our cake without having to pay for it. Again, this might seem like an antiquated topic - we don't think of the government in terms of a theocracy - or do we? In Rome civil leaders assumed god-qualities (not unlike ancient Egypt). There arose a problem, then, for the Jews who were bound to offer worship and sacrifice to one God only. Paying taxes could put them in a theologically compromised situation. The hypocrisy is blatant; these religious leaders were already in bed with the Roman power structure. Their problem was less about what they were 'rendering to Caesar' and more about how they were cheating God.
Then there is the issue of 'taxes'. Talk about a timely issue! We might put it this way: Does it make more sense to pay taxes to the government or give our money to charitable organizations? (Like the church?) We human beings have long wanted our cake without having to pay for it. Again, this might seem like an antiquated topic - we don't think of the government in terms of a theocracy - or do we? In Rome civil leaders assumed god-qualities (not unlike ancient Egypt). There arose a problem, then, for the Jews who were bound to offer worship and sacrifice to one God only. Paying taxes could put them in a theologically compromised situation. The hypocrisy is blatant; these religious leaders were already in bed with the Roman power structure. Their problem was less about what they were 'rendering to Caesar' and more about how they were cheating God.
Then - Resurrection. Remember this story? Jesus deals with those who disbelieve the resurrection by refusing to allow himself to be dragged into the absurdity of their argument - the woman married to the seven brothers. "God is not God of the dead!" God will not obsess with power structures or relational preferences in the next life. Can we imagine a state of being absent jealousy or possessiveness - a state in which being is the miracle that is celebrated, and each being is loved for who they are?
Finally - Jesus puts the question to them regarding the identity of the Messiah. Quoting from the Scriptures the leaders profess to believe, what does it mean that the Messiah is the 'Son of David'? Does it suggest a human dimension to the saving work of God? We can't reject the messianic claims of Christ simply because we know where he comes from or who his parents are or what his lineage is!
In the final analysis none of the arguing serves to change anyone's mind. Nothing is settled, and the line in the sand has only been cut deeper.
Finally - Jesus puts the question to them regarding the identity of the Messiah. Quoting from the Scriptures the leaders profess to believe, what does it mean that the Messiah is the 'Son of David'? Does it suggest a human dimension to the saving work of God? We can't reject the messianic claims of Christ simply because we know where he comes from or who his parents are or what his lineage is!
In the final analysis none of the arguing serves to change anyone's mind. Nothing is settled, and the line in the sand has only been cut deeper.
posted by Mark D at 11:52 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home