雖然與論對耶穌的看法眾說紛紜，但文士和法利賽人動了殺機卻是毫無疑問的。耶穌再三警告門徒黑暗的日子即將來臨，那時祂要受難而且死亡（太16：21；20：18、19）。抵達耶路撒冷的時候，耶穌受到英雄式的歡迎，群眾以對君王的歡呼迎接耶穌進城，但身在歡樂的接待中，祂對同胞的不專和命運哀傷不已。

        權威（老師、父母、上司、教會領袖）不斷的發出聲音，而下列三件事中有一件事要發生在你身上：（一）由於不注意，所以沒有聽到或注意到他們的話；（二）由於激怒，所以拒絕順服；（三）由於相信，於是謙卑的回應。那一個反應適用於葡萄園的比喻（太20：1-16）？那一個適用於園戶的比喻（太21：33-46）？
        上帝的話會激怒有罪的人。你希望你能無視真理的存在，但真理始終都在那裡──那麼堅持、徹底而且不妥協！除非你順服的回應，否則總是不自在，沒有平安。就像基督叫法利賽人「瞎眼領路的」、「假冒偽善的」、和「粉飾的墳墓」，你必須想個法子讓這位針針見血的講員閉口，要不然就得順服在祂傳講的真理中。
        在你的靈性上是否有什麼疙瘩？千萬不要輕忽它的存在，上帝把它擺在那裡的目的──是因為太痛苦，必須除之而後快！所以，你的回應是如何？

        遭猶太人反對，被外邦人釘死！
        耶穌對祂將死的預言（20：18，19）連細節都極為正確，根據猶太人對耶穌的指控──褻瀆──是要處死的！但因為只有羅馬政府才有權執行這項判決，所以耶穌被帶到彼拉多和希律面前──耶穌時代的統治者──這是釘死祂的必要途徑。

你愈清洗你的心；愈能感受到所存留的污穢。

English

        Though public opinion regarding Jesus is divided, there can be no mistaking the murderous intent of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus repeatedly warns His men of the soon-coming dark days of His suffering and death (16:21; 20:18-19). Arriving in Jerusalem to a hero's welcome, Jesus is hailed as King while making His entrance into the city. But even in the midst of this joyful reception, He mourns over the fickleness and fate of His countrymen.

        A voice of authority (a teacher, parent, boss, church leader) speaks ... and one of three things happens: (a) because of inattention you fail to hear and heed the leader's words; (b) because of irritation you refuse to obey; or (c) because of conviction you respond obediently. Which response(s) do you see modeled in the parable of the vineyard (20:1-16)? The parable of the two sons (21:28-32)? The parable of the tenants (21:33-46)?
        God's Word has away of being irritatingly convicting. You wish you could ignore its truth, but there it is—persistent, penetrating, uncompromising. And until you respond in obedience, you will feel uncomfortable and without peace. Like the Pharisees whom Christ called "blind guides," "hypocrites," and "whited sepulchres," you will either find a way to silence the Preacher ... or submit your life to the truth of His sermon!
        Is there a burr under your spiritual saddle today? Don't ignore it; God has placed it there for a purpose—to make it too painful not to change! So how will you respond?

        Condemned by Jews, Crucified by Gentiles
        Jesus' declaration of His coming death (20:18-19) was accurate in every detail. The crime of which Jesus was accused by the Jews—blasphemy—was punishable by death. But since only the Roman civil authorities could execute such a sentence, Jesus was taken before Pilate and Herod—Roman rulers of His day—to gain the necessary permission for His crucifixion.

The more your heart is washed, the more you'll sense its remaining defilement.