What Jesus Did! 'The Owner's Reaction' — Luke 20:9-13

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: "A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.

"'What will I do?' the owner asked himself. 'I know! I'll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.'"

— Luke 20:9-13 NLT

Key Thought

This parable is very autobiographical for Jesus. He was clearly referring to what God had done through the prophets and then by sending him. Religious leaders had taken over the running of God's people. However, they wanted to run things their own way and resisted God's desires and true representatives to the point of abusing and killing them. So God would send someone who was more than just an owner's representative; he would send his cherished son! Jesus is that cherished Son! The horrible events that unfold in the next few verses of Jesus' parable [1] also happened to God's beloved Son! Those events that happened to Jesus don't matter just historically or religiously; they also matter significantly in the life and heart of God. In other words, God loved enough to send his cherished Son to save us!

[1] Luke 20:14-16.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for your indescribable gift. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 3:16-17
  • Romans 5:6-11
  • 1 John 4:9-10

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 20:9-13 NLT — "A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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