SPIES, LIES AND INTENT
Jesus faced so many trials in His journey on earth as both God and man. One of the trials that always seemed to be around him was the questions raised by His enemies. They were lying in wait to find something on which they could accuse Him. He knew the intent of their heart and could, therefore, answer them. The enemies were not sincere, but due to the popularity of Jesus with the people, they had to be careful to hide what it was that they were doing.
Luke records for us a parable about the wicked husbandmen in Luke 20:9-16. The end of the parable was that the wicked husbandmen would be thrown out while the vineyard would be given to others (verse 16). As we understand the parable today in light of total revelation it meant that the Jews by rejecting Jesus would be thrown out and the kingdom would be given to other nations. Ten years from the beginning of the church the gospel was preached to Jews and proselytes. God did take a half step to the world of the Samaritans in Acts 8. However, in Acts 10, the gospel, through the man Cornelius, came to the Gentile world. For the most part today, the Jewish world has continued to reject Jesus as the Savior.
The Jew had an advantage over other nations because to them was given the oracles of God (Romans 3:1,2). Because of this advantage, they, above all other people, should have accepted Jesus quicker. As John writes however, He (Jesus) came unto His own and they rejected Him (John 1:11). Paul, on one occasion, stated that it was necessary for the gospel to be preached to the Jews first. Because those Jews rejected the truth about Jesus, Paul said they had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. Hence, Paul said they were turning to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46). Jesus’ parable, therefore, came to its fruition.
The chief priests and the scribes believed that the parable was aimed at them (Luke 20:19). Jesus, in the two verses prior, had spoken about the Stone that was rejected by the builders. Why did they just not siege Him on this occasion? Luke writes that it was because they feared the people. The common man in the street was listening to Jesus. These religious leaders saw their party was about to be broken up as the people were turning more and more to the man, Jesus.
They (chief priests and scribes) watched Him. They were observing all the things that He was doing. The blind seeing, the lame walking, the deaf hearing and demons being cast out would not appear to be bad things at all. They resented the power that Jesus had because the people were turning to Him and hearing His words. It represented a threat to their way of life. You can teach almost anything about Jesus until you start teaching that men must change their lives to follow Him. When teaching moves it into an area where men must make a choice, many will leave the Lord at that point (John 6:66-68).
Moral teaching, such as not killing or stealing, appeals to most people’s moral upbringing and they have no trouble accepting that. When you move it into denying ungodliness and worldly lusts you find a call to change the life style. It is a call to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11). Many will break with Jesus at this point. They have no desire to change their lifestyles. Billboards are appearing over our city pointing to the fact that if you oppose the gay movement in our country, you are intolerant and possibly a bigot. Why this outcry? It is a call for men to change their lifestyles.
The chief priest then sent out “spies” to catch Jesus in His words. (Luke 20:20). Not only were they watching His day to day conduct, they were listening to every word He uttered. It was not truth they sought but rather an angle to destroy the Master teacher. One of the first things these spies brought was the matter of paying taxes to Caesar. Any one who heard the question may have thought the spies were sincere. Jesus responded by saying they were tempting Him.
Such individuals are false and are always trying to find something to ensnare the cause of Christ today. Paul called them, “false brethren” (Galatians 2:4). Those who live by lies must avoid the truth at all cost. As Christians we should strive to be honest (Ephesians 4:25).