The “tenants” forsook the role of steward and took for themselves the role of Lord. But the One True Lord cannot let that stand . . . and so He sends His duly-appointed servants to call the “tenants” back to faithfulness. And the prophets’ reward is to be beaten, cast out, and wounded. Those who spoke on God’s direct authority were shamefully treated as men of no account . . . and in that, God’s own authority, name, and character was rejected as being of no account, as well.

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The son recognizes his father’s character of mercy. He does not dare plead for restoration, but he does at least know that his father will receive him, even if he doesn’t receive him as a son. The son knows the father is a man of mercy. That he is just and upright. In in the same moment the son realizes he is utterly unworthy of his father, he also recognizes—possibly for the first time ever—just how worthy his father is . . . and no doubt he is ashamed all the more.

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When Pilate mingled the blood of the Galileans with their sacrifices, who was to blame? Jesus blames neither Pilate nor the Galileans. Instead, He levels an even more serious accusation against all of humanity. Yes, the deaths of the Galileans were indeed a judgment of God, but as Arthur Just says in his commentary on Luke, “For Jesus, any such tragedy should be seen not as a sign of God’s judgment on specific people for specific sins, but as a sign of his judgment of all people.” Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

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