Luke 20 Jesus continued to teach at the temple, even as the days before His crucifixion drew closer. The chief priests, scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.. tried to trap Him into saying anything that would condemn Him.. they wanted nothing more than to get rid of Him before any more people turned away to follow Him... leaving them without supporters. 

They questioned His authority. But, they could not admit their true opinions about John the Baptist.. so they received no answer from Jesus. 

They questioned Him about paying taxes.. what better way to trap someone into saying something that would get the attention of the government!  But, that did not work either. 

They questioned Him about the resurrection.. and Jesus proved that their beliefs were faulty. 

Jesus  compared these religious leaders to the wicked vine-growers who tried to keep the vineyard for themselves... denying the Master and killing the Son.  They rejected "the stone" who was the "Chief cornerstone".. and would soon be scattered "like dust".  "Beware of the scribes.. "  Jesus warned His disciples.. they looked so pious and righteous on the outside, but were full of sin and iniquity inside.

What does this all say to us?  As we look at Jesus.. the babe in the manger.. the King on the cross.. we can be assured that "all authority" has been given to Him and we do not need to question that truth. We can rest in it. Trust Him completely.   We do not need to fear asking Him questions. He will answer us when we come sincerely to Him.  

We also can "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."  We are called to be righteous and just in all we do.. faithful citizens who do what is right.. in this world and in the next.  Again, we can trust Jesus to lead us in all truth.. for He is the way, the Truth, and the Life.  

We can rest assured that there is a resurrection ... that God is God whether we are in these bodies are not.. we are alive to Him. We can be certain that Jesus Christ will reign forever and that His enemies will be made a "footstool" for His feet. 

May we, more and more, be built up in our faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul prayed for the churches... "that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." ( Col. 2:2-3)  May this be our prayer for our church.. every day. 

"Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant to us to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus that with one accord we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 15:5-6

Amen.