Fifth Sunday in Lent: Gospel, Luke 20:9-20                       

Luke 20:9-20

Intriguing passage. Questions abound from the people about Jesus and the authority He claims. Common folk and religious professionals are still grappling, asking, even demanding. And it opens the explanation from Jesus, as so often happens, with Him telling a story. And the story has both a practical side and a rather enigmatic one as well. Vineyards, grounds keepers, servants and a son. All combine to shed light, not on what is behind the Savior as much as what is actually behind those who call Him to account. Perhaps that was Jesus’ intent.

And the story does that. A quick quote from Psalm 118 in the midst of the parable and the jig is up. Careful and honest Scripture hearers from Jesus’ day would know from the quote that all the mischief surrounding the vineyard was spelling ultimate disaster for those who took aim at the son who would be the final representative of the vineyard owner. As the crowd began to have their eyes opened by the work of the Master Teacher, they realized that trickery and deceit would be the only means of securing their desired end.

“So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and authority of the governor” (Luke 20:20). This same Jesus, whose authority was questioned by those who carried none, is now turned, by deceit, to an authority who most certainly was bent on the same agenda as those who questioned the Lord. “Spies who pretended to be righteous.” How clever. Or not. They wanted to seize upon His Words and it was, in the end, His Words that vindicated Him. And us. What a Savior!