Chapter 20
Time was drawing near for
Christ to see the cross, and the leaders were drilling him and asking him lots
of questions. They wanted to know by who’s
authority he spoke and taught. They
wanted to know who gave him the right to throw the money lenders out of the
temple.
He answered them with a
question, asking if the baptism of John was from men or from Heaven. They debated their answer, but told Him they
didn’t know. They considered John a
prophet and they did know, but they were after one thing: to trick Jesus.
Jesus uses a parable
about tenant farmers and an owner of a vineyard. The owner left the vineyard in the hands of
tenants. He sent one of his servants to
obtain some fruit, and the tenants beat him and sent him away. This happened two more times. Finally, the owner sent his own son, but the
tenants decided to just kill him. That
would give them heir to the vineyard.
Jesus uses this story to
tell the leaders what was going to happen to Him. Meanwhile, the Pharisees continue to try to
trick Him. They sent spies in an effort
to catch Him doing or saying something wrong.
One asked Jesus if it was lawful for them to pay taxes to Caesar. This is where the memorable phrase comes from
… “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s” because Caesar’s face was on the money! Jesus asked them why they tried to test Him.
The Sadducees asked Jesus
a question about a woman who lost her husband … then married her husband’s
brother. Then the second husband died and she married another of her husband’s
brothers. The questioned who she would
be married to in Heaven. Well, that is a
good question and I’m not sure I like the answer! The purpose is for Jesus to explain that in
Heaven there will not be a patriarchal structure. Well, that still isn’t an answer for me and I’m
just going to look for Joe Moore and I will expect to see my parents together!
My take-away from this
chapter really pertains to that last parable.
We simply don’t know what Heaven will be like. I’ve read lots of books about folks who claim
to have gone to Heaven and returned to tell us about it. I believe we will be reunited with the folks
we have loved on earth. I hope I meet some folks that I never met in this life,
but who certainly are an important part of my ancestry. I also believe I’ll find a few dogs and a cat
in Heaven because I loved them so much!
Let’s Cook!
Honey Walnut Chicken Salad
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 ½ cups walnut pieces
One red bell pepper, sliced
2 cups pineapple chunks
1 cup sesame sticks
Salad greens
1 can cream of coconut
2 cups pineapple juice
Honey Pineapple Coconut Salad Dressing
To make six main course salads, sauté the chicken thighs in 2 tablespoons canola oil for four minutes on each side. Transfer to a baking dish and cover with pineapple juice. Bake them at 350 degrees for thirty minutes. Chill overnight, in the juice.
Glaze the walnuts by sautéing them in 2 tablespoons of the cream of coconut. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of onion powder and ½ teaspoon of chipotle powder. Transfer to a tray lined with waxed paper and let them cool.
Make the salad dressing by combining 1 cup of mayonnaise with ½ cup of pineapple juice, ¼ cup of Southern Illinois honey, ¼ cup of cream of coconut and a dash of rice vinegar.
Compose the salad by topping the greens with sliced chicken, red peppers, walnuts, pineapple and sesame sticks. Top with the dressing.
I patterned this salad after a favorite Chinese dish ... Honey Walnut Chicken ... and, of course, you don't have to use Southern Illinois honey!
