Religious Leaders Come Upon Jesus - Luke 20:1

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him, and could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him”, and in chapter twenty and verse one of his book Luke shared how “the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders” where we read:

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,

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, ...” Luke began with the words, “and it came to pass” or “and it happened and came into existence”, “that on one of those days” which means “that upon a certain and particular sunrise to sunset”, “as he taught the people” or “while and during the time Jesus delivered didactic discourses, instructed and held discourses” “in the temple” which means “within the sacred worship place located in Jerusalem”, “and preached the gospel” or “and heralded, brought and announced the glad and joyful tidings and good news of God's kindness and in particular of Messianic blessings”. Luke shared how there was a particular “day” in which Jesus was declaring the “good news of God's Kingdom” and “giving instruction” in the “sacred worship place” in Jerusalem when the following occurred.

The verse goes on to say, “the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders.” Luke continued with the words, “the chief priests” or “the principal ones who held the priest offices” “and the scribes” which means “and the men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings who served as interpreters and teachers” “came upon him” or “arose and approached Jesus” “with elders” which means “alongside members of the great council or Sanhedrin”. Luke shared how the “religious leaders” known as “chief priests, scribes and elders” approached Jesus while He taught in the temple.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn what the “religious leaders” began to do after they could not discover a way to rid themselves of Jesus. Because they detested Him so much, they conspired and came together to address Jesus with the question in the next verse. For now let us think about the mindset of these “non-believing” “religious leaders” and their determination to find some way to destroy Jesus and His message. Many people attempt to stop the message of the gospel even to this day, however, the “gospel” of Jesus Christ is for all ages, and anyone who receives Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and receive “everlasting life” with God. Let all who read these words consider whose side they are on – Jesus, or the religious leaders?

Next time we see Luke share how the religious leaders ask Jesus, “Tell us, by what authority do you these things? or who is he that gave you this authority?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".