⏱ 6 min read

• Today we want to share with look at how Jesus handled a tricky situation in Luke 20.
• We have earlier shared on the parable of the vinedresser (Don’t Beat, Kill and Stone)…
• But this is what ensued right after He spoke that parable. Let’s dig in:

And the chief priests and the scribes that very hour sought to lay hands on Him, but they feared the people—for they knew He had spoken this parable against them.
So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.
~ Luke 20:19-20

• Jesus faced a very tricky and dangerous situation because people wanted to lay their hands on Him. Sometimes we can find ourselves in tricky situations and our very lives are on the line.
• But hey, they could not lay their hands on Jesus (until He later submitted Himself to them to accomplish His purpose for coming).

They were powerless until then. And we pray the same for you: that your adversaries will be powerless in their plans to lay hands on your life or anything that concerns you, in Jesus’ name!

So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous (v20):

Dear Christian, the enemy we are up against has never changed strategy. The greatest strategy He has used and continues to use is deception (Revelation 12:9). He used it in the beginning, used it on Jesus and He is using it now.

And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the devil and Satan, he who continually DECEIVES and SEDUCES the entire inhabited world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

• We are being watched dear friend, and if the deception has not been sent already, it is on the way.
• Spies (secret agents & special forces) who pretend to be on team righteous or on our side, but they are seeking to destroy us.
• Lies are presented as truths to lure us from God’s plan for our lives. [Eg. Money, lust, and power are being presented as alternatives to God, love and humble service].

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

Two end goals of their deception in this passage (v20):

• #1. To entangle Him in His words (v20): they came as ‘righteous people’, with even seemingly spiritual conversation, but the end goal was evil (I have experienced this firsthand).
• Thankfully they could never get Jesus, because He discerned and spoke only as directed by the Holy Spirit’s wisdom (who never says anything out of place).

“I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” (John 8:28)
“I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence,” (John 8:38).
“For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.” (John 12:49).

• Dear friend, we need wisdom from the Holy Spirit in our speech. The Bible says “by our words we will be justified, and by our words we will be condemned (Matt 12:37).”
• Let the Holy Spirit guide your speech and your conversation; this is the key to escaping such traps.

#2. To deliver Him to the power and authority of the governor (v20):

• The other way is to get you into the bad books or into the disfavour of people who have influence over your life.
• This one, I think it will take God to step in for us. Because most times you and I will not be there to speak for ourselves.
• Pray that when your name comes up in conversation, God will put people there to speak for you.

When people open their mouths to speak evil concerning you, may the Lord turn it into a blessing (Numbers 23:11)! Finally, pray that the Lord will turn the hearts of influential people towards you (Proverbs 21:1). The Lord is on our side!

Let me end with these encouraging words. The enemy knows the truth. They know you’re on the path to victory! You are already a victor!

• They knew Jesus taught the truth, yet they chose to make up and believe their own lies.
• They knew He was no respecter of persons, yet they tried to get Him to conform to their patterns.
• They knew He taught God’s word fearlessly, yet they questioned His authority and tried to silence Him with fear.

Keep up the faith! Keep running the race! Keep living in the truth of God’s word. Don’t fall for the deception! Victory is ours in Jesus’s name! Heyy… you’re blessed!