Stepping Stone or Stumbling Block WEEK OF May 25, 2014

Transcription

1 Stepping Stone or Stumbling Block WEEK OF May 25, 2014 Matthew 21:33-45 Leader, as a rule, answering the questions in engage it should take no more than 10 minutes and are designed to generate conversation around the sermon s main themes. 1. If you needed to rent your fully furnished house, what qualities would you be looking for in a potential tenant and why? Leader, unpack it questions help provide an understanding of what happened in the passage and a deeper analysis of certain themes in it, oftentimes, bringing in additional passages for comparison or support. Jesus is spending His last few days on earth teaching in the Temple. The conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders intensifies as they challenge him (Matthew 21:23 27), and He exposes them through parables (Matthew 21:28 46). This same technique of having the object of the parable pronounce their own punishment was used by the prophet Nathan when he confronted King David in 2 Samuel 12. In this passage, Jesus tells the religious leaders yet another parable (following his parable of the two

2 sons). The range of meaning of the term "parable" in the New Testament closely parallels that of the Hebrew masal in the Old Testament and related Hebrew literature. As well as referring to narrative parables, the term identifies similitudes, allegories, proverbs, riddles, and symbols or types. "Parable" is a general term for a figurative saying. 1 A parable is an illustration. It is a way of illustrating, in very simple common terms, a great spiritual truth. It uses something that is common and concrete to explain an unknown or abstract truth that may, otherwise, be beyond the grasp of the listener/reader. Read Matthew 21: Jesus acknowledges that He is telling yet another parable. Another in the original language means, another of the same kind. Looking at Matthew 21:28-32, why might Jesus have prefaced His second parable by saying another? He has just told them a parable about two sons and here He begins another parable in the same style and to convey the same message, a parable about judgment. The religious leaders He s speaking to have collectively rejected Him, and so these two are designed to convict them and to communicate the consequences of rejecting Jesus. They have rejected Him, so in these parables He rejects them Read Matthew 21:33-34 slowly. List all of the actions taken by the landowner. What is the clear intent and expectation of the landowner? Planted a vineyard Put a fence around it (providing protection). Dug a winepress in it (a place where the grapes would be processed into wine). Built a tower in it (providing shelter, storage and a place for added security where watchmen could keep a close eye on all that occurred in the vineyard). Leased it to tenants He sent servants to get his fruit It is clear that the landowner was intending to build a vineyard that would yield him profitable fruit. 1 Payne, Philip Barton. Parable. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Web. 17 May MacArthur, John. Sermon Notes. Grace to You, Web. 18 May

3 4. In Matthew 21:33-45 who are represented by the master, the son, the tenants, the servants (Jeremiah 25:4 and Matthew 23:34-37) and the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-8)? Master God the Father Son Jesus Christ Tenants Israel, especially the leadership (Matthew 21:45) Servants Prophets sent over the years to Israel (I Kings 18:13, Jeremiah 25:4; 26:20-23, II Chronicles 24:19-21) The vineyard the nation of Israel 5. In the parallel account of this parable found in Mark 12:1-12, we learn that the servants were sent one after another. With this in mind, describe the manner with which the master treated the tenants in Matthew 21: The master is unreasonably patient with the tenants as he sends servant after servant to them giving them many opportunities to deliver the portion of the harvest that was due him. He goes so far as to send his son. 6. Read Matthew 21:38. What was the tenants motive for rejecting and killing the son? And read Psalm 2:1-3 and John 11:47-48, and list the motives behind the religious leaders rejection of Jesus. Matthew 21:38 says that they wanted to kill the son so that they could have His inheritance. The tenants represent the religious leaders of the day, and for them, In fact, the possession which the [religious] rulers coveted was supremacy over the minds and consciences of men; they wished to lord it over God's heritage; to retain their rights and prerogatives in the present system. This ambition Christ's teaching and action entirely overthrew. They felt no security in their possession of authority while he [Jesus] was present and working in their midst. Were he removed, their position would be safe, their claims undisputed. 3 3 Matthew 21:38. The Pulpit Commentary, Electronic Database. BibleSoft, Inc., Web. 17 May 2014.

4 Psalm 2:1-3 exposes the heart of the rulers of the earth who plot against the Lord and His Anointed One in order to live without restraints upon their liberty and to openly and freely indulge in the enjoyment of their own lusts and sinful pleasures. They saw the Lordship of God s rule in their lives as chains and fetters. John 11:47-48 Here we see that for the members of the Sanhedrin, controlling their nation and their own individual place of power and authority within that nation were of primary importance. 7. Just as the master expected fruit from the tenants so God expects His people to be fruitful. What is the fruit of the kingdom? (See Galatians 5:22-24, Colossians 1:10-12, and John 4:28-30, 35-42) John MacArthur puts it this way: The fruit of the kingdom is the demonstrated righteousness produced out of a life turned from sin. 4 Answers may vary for the possibilities are vast. From the suggested verses we see: Galatians 5:22-24 Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, shunning of fleshly passions and desires. Colossians 1:10-12 Living lives worthy of the Lord, knowledge of his will, spiritual wisdom and understanding, doing good works. John 4:28-30, Bringing people to Jesus so they too may believe in Him. 8. Read Matthew 21: How does Jesus get the religious leaders to convict themselves? What do they say is the just punishment for the wicked tenants? He asks them for a judgment in the story and leads them into convicting themselves. The wicked tenants should be put to death, and the vineyard should be given to tenants who will ensure it bears fruit in harvest. 4 MacArthur, John. The MacArthuer New Testament Commentary: Matthew Chicago: Moody Publishers, p Print 4

5 9. When Jesus said, the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, Jesus is quoting Psalm 118: Who is the cornerstone? Why is Jesus drawing this comparison? Jesus is the chief cornerstone of God s holy temple. He wants the religious leaders to know that He is the chief cornerstone, fulfilling the Messianic prophesy in the Psalm, and that when they reject Him, they are actually rejecting the very cornerstone of God s plan for the fruit of true righteousness. Rejection of him will have its consequences. 10. What judgment is pronounced by Jesus in Matthew 21:43? The kingdom of God would be taken away from Israel and given to another people. Think of the enormity of what Jesus was saying. The nation of Israel's entire purpose for centuries was to be God's covenant people through whom He revealed Himself to the world. The long-awaited Messiah finally comes but rather than pronounce judgment on their enemies (Rome), He strips away their special status and gives it to another people. 11. According to Matthew 21:43, what is the one required characteristic of the tenant farmers to whom God will give the vineyard? According to 1 Peter 2:4-10 and Romans 9:25-26, who are these new farmers? The new tenant farmers will be those who bear fruit, the fruit of righteousness. This new nation (the new tenant farmers) is comprised of all who believe in Christ. The body of Christ, the church, is the holy nation to whom the kingdom has now been given. This holy nation and royal priesthood will produce the fruit of the kingdom that Israel did not.

6 12. Matthew 21:44 refers to Jesus as a stumbling stone to some people. With help from Romans 9:30-33, why is Jesus a stumbling block to some? Because they were trying to pursue righteousness based on their own works rather than by faith. 13. Israel s rejection of Christ had clear ramifications in Matthew 21:44. It also has ramifications for us today. What are some of those ramifications? The one who rejects Jesus will be broken to pieces and crushed. Spiritually speaking, if we reject Jesus as the cornerstone of our faith, he will pass from us and God will give His gift of everlasting life to others. It is our warning that if the New Testament church rejects Jesus and does not bear fruit, then it will be crushed to pieces and passed over in favor of those who accept Christ and bear fruit. Leader, live it are generally designed for individual application after small group time; though, some may be appropriate for group discussion, if desired. 14. Read Galatians 5:16-17, 22. What is the fruit that God is looking for in your life? How is your faith producing the fruit Jesus is looking for? 15. As Jesus tenant farmer, how are you actively fertilizing, watering and tending to the field of lost souls around you? Is there something you need to do this week to evangelize to the lost? 6