Already on Easter evening, ten of the eleven were back together. Eight days later, Thomas had rejoined them. His “not with them” turned once again to being “with them.”
These others do not get much attention. We do not know their names. We do not know their back stories. But they were there on Easter morning, and Luke wants his readers to know it.
Jesus leaves us hanging. Does the tree improve? Does the owner of the vineyard even grant the vinedresser another year? Or does the tree finally get the ax?
While it is true Jesus was much more than a teacher, it is equally true that He was nothing less, which suggests a sermon on this text might explore Jesus’ teaching ministry; both then and now.