September 21, 2025 - Luke 20-24

As Jesus moves toward Calvary, he pulls no punches with those who oppose him.  He responds to a question about his authority by questioning his questioners and pushing them into a corner.  The parable of the wicked tenants.  The confrontation with the Pharisees and Sadducees over the questions of taxes and the resurrection.  The warning to his disciples about the Scribes.  Jesus walked into all this with his eyes fully open.  He was not forced to the cross by his enemies; rather, he defeated his enemies by willingly going to the cross as evidenced in his prayer in the garden:  “Father, if you are willing, removed this cup from me.  Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (22:42).

And so, he died a cruel death and was laid in the tomb.  On that morning of the first day of the week, the two men reported to those who came to the tomb:  “He is not here, but has risen” (24:6).  Just as he had said!

Praise to the Holiest in the height,

and in the depth be praise;

in all His words most wonderful,

most sure in all His ways!

O loving wisdom of our God!

When all was sin and shame,

a second Adam to the fight,

and to the rescue came.   --John Henry Newman (1865)