140. The two sons-
Matt. 21:28-32
-Jesus paints a realistic picture of how people react to the
message of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness using the illustration of
the two sons. One began with a defiant attitude and said he would not go to
work in his father’s vineyard, but he later regretted his rebellion and went
and obeyed his father’s request. The other son said all the right things in the
beginning with a yes sir, but he did not ever actually go and do the work in
the vineyard. He lied and did not follow through on his promise before his
father to pursue his will. Jesus summed it all up by saying that the tax
collectors (this has significance to the writer Matthew here since he had been
a tax collector himself) and prostitutes would enter the Kingdom of God before
the chief priests and elders of the people (the supposed wise and spiritual
leaders of the culture). He then denounced their unwillingness to believe John’s
message or even feel any remorse about their plight even when they could
plainly hear and see the call, whereas the tax collectors and prostitutes did
and received forgiveness because of their repentance and faith (Matthew 21:32).
*Application* It’s not how you start, but how you finish in the Kingdom of God.
No matter what you may have done, God gives us all a chance to confess and
return to Him in repentance and faith. No one is too far gone! Check out: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzHgEhF4Qac)
Verse to Memorize-
Matthew 21:32
141. The wicked
husbandmen- Matt. 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-19
-Jesus now lays it all on the line in a parable that revealed
the anti-Christ spirit of the religious leaders, which even went back to the
prophets who revealed the Word of God in ages past. He compares them to rented
laborers in a vineyard who were to keep the garden upright and productive. The
owner went on a long journey (this depicts the distance between God holiness in
Heaven and the activities on this sinful earth) and in time of harvest sent his
slaves (doulos, servants, those under
His command, i.e. the prophets of God) to receive his produce. They were
treated harshly by rejection, beatings, stonings, and killings again and again.
Afterward, he reasoned that he would send his beloved son who would surely be
received, respected, and honored as an heir to the family. However, the wicked
husbandmen conspired against him in an effort to seize the inheritance (a false,
selfish, and wordly kingdom of this earth in Israel by the religious establishment).
They took the son and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him (Matthew
21:39). The question is then asked by Jesus, what will the owner of the
vineyard do when he comes to these hired vine-growers? The reply was that these
wretched men will come to a wretched end and be cast out for others who are
more worthy and will honor the owner. The scribes, chief priests, and Pharisees
understood that Jesus was speaking of them and exclaimed, “May it never be
(Luke 20:16)!” But Jesus cited Psalm 118:22-23 prophetically and added that he
who falls (from pipto which also
means: collapse, become invalid, be destroyed) on this stone (the chief corner
stone) will be broken to pieces, and on whomever it falls (the Jewish people
who trust in their leaders), it will scatter them like dust (the Jewish diaspora
which happened shortly after Christ’s era basically continued until 1948 when
Israel became a nation again). When the religious leaders ascertained that He
was speaking of them, they sought to seize Jesus, but they feared the people
because of Jesus’ popularity and their belief that He was a prophet.
*Application* This remarkable parable should warn us to pay attention to the
visitations of the LORD and not rely on religious leaders who have their own
agendas and worldly purposes. How easy it is to be deceived and this is why
Jesus’ parable is in the Scriptures in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. He wants us to
be centered on Him as the Chief Corner Stone and Heir to eternal life as God’s
One and Only Son. Don’t be scattered like dust yourself in this age of false
teaching (2 Timothy 3:1-17; 4:3-4).
Verse to Memorize-
Matthew 21:42
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