Key Thought

"God forbid!" the people cried out when they heard Jesus' story. But God didn't stop the horrible events of the trial, rejection and crucifixion from happening. In fact, these events show his love for us and demonstrate Jesus' obedience to God. Jesus' crucifixion is horrible ... unconscionable ... and despicable. In normal human circumstances they would have been deplorable. Jesus, however, is much more than son of the farm owner; he is the Son of God and heir to all that belongs to God. Yet he will be treated with utmost contempt. It is so sad ... yet it is also our salvation!

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

Then Jesus told the people this story: "A man planted a vineyard. The man leased the land to some farmers. Then he went away for a long time. Later, it was time for the grapes to be picked. So the man sent a servant to those farmers so that they would give him his share of the grapes. But the farmers beat the servant and sent him away with nothing. So the man sent another servant. The farmers beat this servant too. They showed no respect for him. The farmers sent the servant away with nothing. So the man sent a third servant to the farmers. The farmers hurt this servant badly and threw him out. The owner of the vineyard said, 'What will I do now? I will send my son. I love my son very much. Maybe the farmers will respect my son!' When the farmers saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the owner's son. This vineyard will be his. If we kill him, then it will be ours!' So the farmers threw the son out of the vineyard and killed him. "What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those farmers! Then he will lease the land to some other farmers." The people heard this story. They said, "No! This should never happen!" But Jesus looked into their eyes and said, "Then what does this verse mean: 'The stone that the builders did not want became the cornerstone '? Every person that falls on that stone will be broken. If that stone falls on you, it will crush you!" The teachers of the law and the leading priests heard this story that Jesus told. They knew this story was about them. So they wanted to arrest Jesus at that time. But they were afraid of what the people would do.

— Luke 20:9-19 (ERV)

Comments on "God Forbid!":

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