Surrey Chapel Fellowship Group Notes April 27th-28th
Luke 20:1-18 Question and Parable 

The Authority of Jesus Challenged
This passage needs to be understood in its context. It happens in ‘holy week’ just a day or two after Jesus drove the vendors and money changers out of the temple courts. Jesus had earlier made his triumphal entry to Jerusalem and the expectations of imminent messianic deliverance were high. When Jesus calls the temple “my house” (19:36) he raises the question of authority - so important was this that his attitude to the temple was crucial in the prosecution’s case at his trial.

“In good Jewish and Hellenistic fashion, Jesus answers the query with one of his own. This style of disputation was popular in the ancient world. It was designed to show who could ask the wiser question and expose weaknesses in the opponent.” - IVP Commentary. Are there any lessons for us in this approach?
What authority was Jesus seen as having? What authority did he really have? In many ways the question of Jesus’ authority is the ultimate question. The religious leaders here were sitting on the fence. 
Reflecting back on the earlier chapters of Luke’s gospel, what evidence is presented to justify Jesus’ claims? Are we impressed and convinced by such evidence?
As Christians we clearly believe that Jesus taught with authority. But how do present this truth in a post-modern age where we are told that all truth is relative? Or a private matter?
The Parable of the Tenants
This final parable in Luke’s gospel is an allegory that speaks of Israel’s rejection of God and God’s impending removal of the Kingdom from Israel. 
Spend a few minutes looking through the passage identifying the parallels with God’s dealing with his people in the Old Testament and in the Easter story.
The picture of a vineyard is used repeatedly in the Old Testament (Psalm 80:8-13, Isaiah 5:1-7, Jeremiah 2:21, Ezekiel 19:10-14, Hosea 10:1.)
The people listening to this parable were shocked by the story’s conclusion, “may this never be!” -v.16. However in a few days time... (Luke 23:21) - Is there a lesson we should learn from this?
Jesus’ quotation of Psalm 118:22 summarises the lesson. The message is clear, God will vindicate his rejected Son. The image of the building stone is used repeatedly in the New Testament. See Acts 4:11, Romans 9:32-33 and 1 Peter 2:7. This ultimate vindication of the rejected Son is seen in Revelation 5 where we see ‘the lamb who was slain’ in all his glory. Praise God for this!

Prayer Points											ADB
The four people who were baptised recently.
Church AGM (May 19th)
The ongoing influence of the KJV 400 events.