3rd June 2023
Pray (ACts) Read (Matthew 21v28-22v14) Message (Scott Woodburn) The Lord refused to answer the question “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” but in response to the religious leaders, Jesus taught three parables. They're called the parable of the two sons, the parable of the tenants and the parable of the wedding feast. As Jesus stood teaching in the temple courts, He had something weighty to say to the religious leaders and all of the people of Israel. Jesus taught firstly about two sons. One was asked to go and work in his father's vineyard but said "I will not" before changing his mind and going to work (v29). The other son said he would go to work but never actually bothered (v30). Those listening to Jesus agreed that it was the first son who did his father's will (v31). What did this parable mean? Jesus explained that in the first son we see the tax collectors and prostitutes. They would enter the kingdom first because when John the Baptist came, many sinners changed their minds and repented before the Lord. Nevertheless when the religious leaders saw this they were like the second son who refused to change and stayed at home. The second parable was about a master who planted a vineyard and put it into the hands of tenants (v33). At harvest time the master sent his servants to get some fruit from the tenants who promptly acted wickedly towards the master's servants (v35). More servants were sent but they received the same evil treatment (v36). Finally the master sent his son saying "They will respect my son" (v37). But the tenants did not respect the son. They believed by killing him they would receive his inheritance and so they took him outside the vineyard and they murdered him (v39). Once more the crowd was united in what they believed would happen in such an instance saying that when the master came “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” (v41) What did this parable mean? The religious leaders had badly mismanaged God's kingdom and rejected His Son. Jesus reminded His hearers of Psalm 118v22-23 which states “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes" Jesus was rejected by those who should have received Him and therefore the kingdom would be taken from ethnic Israel and given to another people who would produce fruits of the kingdom (v43). Christ in turn would be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, with anyone failing to receive Him being destroyed (v44). Christ's third parable spoke of a king's feast prepared for his son's wedding. The king sent many servants to invite the people to the feast but they would not come (22v3). Other servants were sent with news about the scale of the feast but still no one responded and the king's servants were treated badly and murdered (v6). In response the king sent his troops to destroy the murderers (v7). The king then said "The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find." (v8-9) In the end the feast was filled with those found on the roads "both bad and good" (v10). Later as the feast was in full swing a individual was found without a wedding garment (v11). Would you go to a wedding unprepared? This man did and he was promptly thrown outside into darkness where there was only weeping and gnashing of teeth (v13). What was going on in these three parables? Christ was offering a damning indictment of Israel and her leaders. The Lord had consistently reached out to His people and begged them to return to Him. They refused and mistreated His messengers and would eventually murder Christ the Son. Therefore the focus of God's saving work would move to the Gentile nations and those previously considered as sinfully wicked would respond to the Gospel in repentance and faith. Throughout history many have been called to faith but only a few have been chosen by God Himself (22v14). The chief priests and the Pharisees were not fools and so they knew that Christ was speaking about them (21v45) but instead of repenting and trusting in Christ they began to look for opportunities to arrest Jesus (21v46). What should we do with such verses? Paul would later offer much wisdom in Romans 11. He taught that the rejection of Jesus by the Jews was in order to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles who in turn could hope that one day many Jews would call upon the name of Jesus (Romans 11v11-13, 25). In the meantime we are to flee from arrogance towards the Jewish people (Romans 11v19) understanding that there can be no room for pride in the Christian (Romans 11v20). Instead we are to remember that the God who did not spare the Jews from His judgement will not spare us either if we turn from Him. Today as we hear Christ's voice may it humble us as we survey His majestic plan for the salvation of all who would believe. The Master has sent His Son and we gladly receive Him. May He keep us until the end and enable us to stand fast through faith and fear (Romans 11v20). Pray (acTS) Sing WSC Q63 Which is the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
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