20160506 Friday, May 6 2016
Luke 20: The Lay Preacher Who Built The True Church Of God

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?"

The term "lay preacher" is generally defined as an unordained minister i.e. not a professional clergyman. The word "lay" is from the ancient Greek word, pronounced laikos, that meant people (the other English-language word "lay," meaning to be in a reclining position, is unrelated; it originated from an Anglo-Saxon word centuries after the Greek word).

From the perspective of the "religious authorities" of Judah at the time (see Israel In History and Prophecy: Judaism and Israel Never Knew Purim, Hanukkah Or Judaism), the Messiah was a "lay preacher," Who was not ordained or authorized by them, or their schools of religion - He held no Degrees in their errors (see Doctorates Of Error).

When they demanded that He "Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority," He responded in a way that even their blinded view of the Holy Scriptures could not refute (among them was a young Pharisee named Saul - who the LORD later converted into the apostle Paul; see Paul's Blindness Lesson).

"20:1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

20:3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 20:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 20:6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

20:7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

20:8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things." (Luke 20:1-8 KJV)

The Messiah then delivered a parable that spoke directly about them - and all ever since who have absconded with the true Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach? and Why Call Me, Lord, Lord, and Do Not The Things Which I Say?).

Notice also that the Messiah knew that His return would happen long after His Sacrifice i.e. the owner and planter of the vineyard "went into a far country for a long time" (see What Happened When The Messiah Arrived In Heaven?).

"20:9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 20:10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 20:11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 20:12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

20:13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

20:14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. 20:15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? 20:16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others.

And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

20:17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

20:18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

20:19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them." (Luke 20:9-19 KJV)

When they couldn't trap Him with religious questions, they then tried to jeopardize Him with a loaded political question: "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar?" (see Israel In History and Prophecy: Roman Judea).

A coin, identical to one or the other of those shown, was what the Messiah was using in the Scriptures below. There were two Caesars during the lifetime of the Messiah - Augustus and Tiberius (see A History Of Jerusalem: Pompey And The Caesars to see what both of them actually looked like).

The denarius was a Roman silver coin that is often known as the "penny" of the Bible because of the King James Version translation using that word for it. The denarius was about the size of a present-day Canadian or U.S. dime.

"20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 20:22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

20:23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 20:24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it?

They answered and said, Caesar's.

20:25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

20:26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace." (Luke 20:20-26 KJV)

Despite being the "religious authorities," the Pharisees and Sadducees had major doctrinal differences, as the apostle Paul later also encountered ("23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both" Acts 23:8 KJV). Their lack of understanding was the basis for their illogical question about physical marriage in the spiritual Kingdom of God (see What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16? and No Children In Paradise).

"20:27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, 20:28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 20:29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. 20:30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. 20:32 Last of all the woman died also. 20:33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. 20:37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 20:38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

20:39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 20:40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all." (Luke 20:27-40 KJV)

King David was also one of the major prophets of the Bible - as quoted by the Messiah Himself (see also David's View From The Cross).

"20:41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 20:42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms,

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 20:43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

20:44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

20:45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 20:46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 20:47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation." (Luke 20:41-47 KJV)

Fact Finder: What does "church" actually mean?
See What's The Expiration Date Of The Church? and When The Church Will Become The Kingdom