The temple complex was large, taking up approximately one-fourth of the entire city of Jerusalem. It was in the courtyards of the temple where Jesus likely taught.
Even away from the main areas of the temple, he drew the attention of the chief priests and the teachers of the law.
Their question was: why was an untrained carpenter’s son from Galilee, a fairly disrespected part of the country, teaching? Where did he get the authority to proclaim what he was saying?
One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes came with the elders
And said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority? (Luke 20.1-2).
The question of authority revolves around who is in control. Clearly, the people who are authorized representatives for the people believe they were in control.
Their question to Jesus was not so much a question as an accusation. He was acting like he had control, but they believed he shouldn’t.
The Parable of the Tenants
In Luke 20:9-19, Jesus shared a parable about tenants. The story begins with a man planting a vineyard and leasing it to tenants. Over time, he sent his servants to collect his share of the produce, much like a modern sharecropper arrangement.
However, the tenants responded by attacking the servants, wounding them, and driving them away.
After three tries to receive his share that was owed him, he decided to send his son. Like the second Psalm, when the tenants saw him, they had a different response.
Let’s compare Psalm 2 with what Jesus said in the parable.
Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and his anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast their cords from us.” (Psalm 2.1-3)
The rulers were against the Lord because they wanted freedom from God’s direction and guidance. In the parable, we find a similar response.
“But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him” (Luke 20.14-15).
Why does Jesus have authority? Psalm 2 prophesies that He is the Son of God, endowed with the power to rule over the nations and the entire earth.
I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Psalm 2.7-9)
As Jesus confronted the religious authorities, He quoted from another Psalm (118.22).
“What then does this text mean:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?” (Luke 20.17).
In a building, the cornerstone holds everything together. The Son of God holds all things together and has the authority to rule the nations and provide direction to them.
All authorities including the religious leaders should acknowledge Jesus’ authority and give Him the honor He deserves.
Under New Management
When Jesus announced the arrival of the kingdom of God on earth, He was effectively declaring that the earth was under new management.
As tenants on God’s earth, the wisest decision we can make is to submit to His authority and acknowledge, “You’re in control, not me. Rule my life. Guide me, and I will follow Your direction.”
Psalm 2 captures the proper response we should give to the King of all kings.
Serve the Lord with fear;
with trembling
kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2.11-12)
This psalm reflects an attitude of humble reverence. It calls for living in an intimate relationship with God, being humble enough to seek His guidance, and obedient enough to follow it.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this parable on YouTube today.
Real Voices 