Luke 29.19 The
teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him
immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But
they were afraid of the people. - St Luke
It’s interesting how Jesus dealt with His detractors,
Jesus knew them. Jesus knew what they
believed, where they stood, and how they conducted themselves. He knew they
were petty, selfish, and often somewhat tyrannical. He knew they loved their positions
of authority, but not the people they served. Jesus knew.
They knew He
knew. They knew He spoke parables against them and it rankled them. They wanted
nothing more than to rid the earth of this Nuisance. But their reluctance was
with the people they served – they were afraid of those people. And why not be,
the Jewish population in those days had a lousy track record of insurrection
and violence against those with whom they disagreed. The leaders knew that full
well, as well.
While on earth, Jesus was in sync with the Father in
every aspect. What the Father said, He said. What the Father commanded Him to
do He did. But Jesus was also a lot like us – He could read people. Most people
aren’t all that hard to read. Most of the time they blab on so much about
themselves, one needn’t do any reading at all; it’s simply, stop up your ears
and run for your life!
And because of His close union with the Father, Jesus
knew the history of the Jews with God: it wasn’t pretty. Jesus knew.
And now that He’s ascended, Jesus knows us too. Jesus
knows what we do, what we say, and what we think. He knows the thoughts and
intents of our hearts. And so, when Jesus asks question of the religious
ruler/detractors of His day, He is, in essence, asking you and me the same
questions. And when He spoke to them in parables, He also speaks to us in
parables. Do we listen, are the parables about us?
The difference between us and them is this: the believer
today accepts the Lordship of Christ (or is supposed to). Those back then weren’t
really sure. Not everybody today is a believer – not even everybody who goes to
church is a believer. But we have His sayings and parables to help us to know
where we stand with Him. He knows where we stand, do we?
The same principle applies to us today as it did to them
way back then: “Everyone who falls on
that stone will be broken to pieces; [but] anyone on whom it falls will be
crushed.” Have I truly embraced the Cornerstone; or have I rejected it? It’s
worth considering. The answer is what is on display for all to read especially when
I don’t think anyone’s looking – or cares.
Father, it isn’t
who I am when I’m in Church putting on a show of how good and godly I am; it’s
when I am alone – who am I when I am alone, when I think no one is looking. May
I be found broken to pieces by having fallen on the Stone; not crushed into powder
by having It fall on me. Lord, You know. Amen
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