When Worship Looks Different
Have you ever had your plans completely disrupted? Maybe a snowstorm canceled your Sunday service, an illness kept you home, or unexpected circumstances changed everything you anticipated. In those moments, it’s natural to feel anxious or worried. But these disruptions often reveal a deeper question we all face: Who’s really in control of our lives?
The Authority Question That Changes Everything
Luke 20 presents a powerful confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders who questioned His authority. “Tell us by what authority you do these things,” they demanded. But their question wasn’t about theology—it was about control. They wanted to know: Who gave you the right?
Jesus responded brilliantly, turning their trap back on them by asking about John the Baptist’s authority. The religious leaders couldn’t answer without condemning themselves, so they avoided the question entirely. Their response reveals something crucial: people don’t reject Jesus because they lack information; they reject Him because they fear where obedience might lead.
The Parable That Hits Home
Jesus then told a parable about vineyard tenants who rejected the owner’s servants and eventually killed his son. The religious leaders understood—this story was about them. They had rejected prophet after prophet, and now they were rejecting God’s beloved Son.
The cornerstone they rejected would become the foundation of everything. As Jesus declared, quoting Psalm 118:22, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” There’s no neutral ground with Jesus—we’re either broken before Him in repentance or broken by Him in judgment.
Caesar’s Coin and God’s Image
When the leaders tried to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, He asked for a coin. “Whose image is on it?” Caesar’s, they answered. “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Here’s the profound truth: that coin bore Caesar’s image, so it belonged to Caesar. But you bear God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Your life, your body, your worship, your future—all of it belongs to Him.
Seeking First the Kingdom
Matthew 6:31-33 reminds us not to be anxious about life’s necessities. Instead, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When circumstances change, when plans fall apart, when we’re not in control—God still is.
Real life with Jesus means:
- Submitting to His authority completely
- Responding to His grace with gratitude
- Giving God what already belongs to Him—everything
The Choice Before Us
The hardest truth? You’re the only one who can make this choice. Will your life be built on the cornerstone of Christ, or will you stumble over Him? Will you surrender control, or will you keep trying to manage everything yourself?
Whether you’re worshiping in a church building or your living room, whether life is going according to plan or completely off-script, the question remains: Who has your deepest allegiance?
God doesn’t want partial surrender. He wants all of you—your worries, your plans, your control, your life. And when you give Him everything, you discover the peace that comes from knowing He’s been in control all along.
Who’s really in charge of your life today?
