March 16, 2014
Evening Service

Luke 20:19-47.

 

            The triumphal entry enter Jerusalem is the beginning of the end of Jesus’s earthly life.  What He needs to say, and do must be done.  He began by cleansing the temple, then He speaks to them concerning authority, and this morning more concerning authority.  This evening we will see what Jesus has to say concerning tribute money, the resurrection, and a question that He has for them.

TRIBUTE MONEY.

Luk 20:19-47  And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 

·         This is the beginning of the end.  They sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people.  Soon that won’t matter.  The Romans will do it for them.

·         Well, they were very right.  It was about them.

(20)  And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.  (21)  And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 

·         Had they stopped right there, and said, “we wish to follow You, and be Your disciples.”  It would have been well and good for them, however, they just pretended to be just men.

(22)  Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 

·         Simple, but important question.  Do we have to pay our taxes?  We already give our ties to the temple, and now do we have to pay taxes also?

·         If we can get Him to say no, then we can tell the magistrates, and they will put Him in jail.

(23)  But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?  (24)  Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.  (25)  And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

·         Think about this!  Whose image, and superscription is on it?  What if you applied that way of thinking to everything you deal with in a days time?  Would they not take on a different meaning? 

·         What about the places we go, whose superscription is on them?

·         The entertainment we visit or watch, whose superscription is on them?

·         The job you work in, whose superscription is on it?

·         The cloths you wear, whose superscription is on them?

·         Paul said we are in the world, but not of the world.  We as Christians are encouraged to be careful of the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.  We are also encouraged to think on these things.  Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

So after answering them,

(26)  And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

RESURRECTION:

  (27)  Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,  (28)  Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.  (29)  There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.  (30)  And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.  (31)  And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.  (32)  Last of all the woman died also.  (33)  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. 

·         As you can see this would really not be a concern for these people, because they don’t really believe there will be a resurrection.  They are just trying to trick Him.

·         Jesus straightens them out on two points, yes, there will be a resurrection, and He explains concerning whose wife she will be.

(34)  And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:  (35)  But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:  (36)  Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 

·         Notice, He says, “they which be counted worthy.”  Well, we understand, and know how we become worthy, and it is by the blood of Jesus.  The song says, “Nothing good have I done to deserve God’s own Son, I’m unworthy for the blood that He shed.  But He makes me worthy”.

And now He says;

(37)  Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.  (38)  For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

·         And by understanding the difference between the first, and second death, Jesus is saying these men are not dead, but sleeping.  They have not, and will not taste the second death, which is destruction in the lake of fire, or permanent death.

·         Now for a complete, and very explanatory answer for questions concerning the resurrection go to I Cor. Chapter 15.  Paul writes what God wants us to have concerning this subject. 

THE QUESTION:

(39)  Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 

·         Now no doubt these Scribes, who were writers of the law, believed in the resurrection, so they liked the answer that He gave the Sadducees.

(40)  And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. 

So now it’s the Lord’s turn.

(41)  And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?  (42)  And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,  (43)  Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.  (44)  David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? 

·         In the Gospel according to Matt.  It says that after this question, they did not ask Him any more questions.  It also says they couldn’t answer the question.

·         We, however, can answer that question.  The first Lord is Jehovah God, the Father of Jesus, Who is the Lord of Glory, and of the linage of David..Jesus of Nazareth in the flesh.

(45)  Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,  (46)  Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;  (47)  Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

·         What a slap in the face this statement is.  Jesus is bringing shame on these hypocritical religious leaders.

 

The same shall receive a greater damnation.  Letting us know that there will possibly be different degrees of punishment for the wicked.

 

Almighty God of love, and mercy, help us to strive to be what You would want Your children to be.