Judgment on Christ Rejecters Matthew 21: Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’? Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (21:42-43)

Timeline of Passover Week Monday – Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt to a Messiah’s welcome Tuesday – Jesus came into the city again and cleansed the temple of sacrifice merchants and money changers Wednesday He entered the city again and on the way He cursed the fig tree While teaching in the temple courts, the religious leaders questioned the source of his authority Jesus condemns the Jewish leaders through the parable of the tenants that illustrates their willful rejection of God

The Illustration (vv. 33 – 39) “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the vineyard to collect his fruit. The tenants seized his servants, they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. But when the tenants saw the son they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come let’s kill him and take his heritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.” (21:33-39)

The Illustration - Comments Simple and understandable story to explain a profound truth Landlord planting a vineyard was commonplace in Palestine; story illustrates the great care taken by the landowner – Stone wall (or hedge of briars) to keep out wild animals – Winepress used to crush the grapes and collect the juice – Tower – lookout place for marauders, shelter for workers, storage for tools Landlord rented the vineyard to farmers he thought we reliable caretakers and entered into a covenant (agreement) with them Tenant farmers had an excellent opportunity to develop a good living; but they wanted the whole harvest for themselves and were merciless Story piqued the interest of the Jewish leaders and the bystanders – Great pity for the betrayed, grieving owner – Resentful outrage at the heartless, brutal farmers

The Conclusion (vv ) Jesus led His hearers to finish the story themselves Chief priest and elders rightly replied – Vineyard owner would severely punish the wicked farmers – Replace them with others who were reliable With this answer they sprang the trap of their own condemnation “Therefore, when the of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give his share of the crop at harvest time.” (21:40-41)

The Explanation (v. 42) How is this relevant to the parable? – Used Psalm 118:22 to reinforce the parable’s point – “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone (chief cornerstone)” Cornerstone was most basic and essential part of a building – Determined the proper placement and alignment of every other part Israel was the stone which the empire builders of the world rejected as insignificant and despised. Israel was chosen to be the chief cornerstone in the redemptive history of the world in God’s divine plan Peter declared shortly after Pentecost, “Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you have crucified, whom God raised from the dead... He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very cornerstone.” (Acts 4:10-12) THE REJECTED SON IN THE PARABLE AND THE REJECTED STONE BOTH REFER TO CHRIST Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’” (21:42)

The Explanation – Continued (v. 42) Linkage of the parable to Israel – God prepared a place of great beauty and blessing Graciously (without merit) gave stewardship of it to His people, Israel Place of promise, hope, deliverance, salvation, and security – Israel misappropriated all those blessings, robbing God of the gratitude, glory, and honor due Him Persecuted the prophets God patiently and lovingly sent to call His people to repentance and forgiveness Killed the Son of God

The Application (vv ) Jesus removed all doubt about what He was saying to the chief priests and elders – “Therefore I tell you” – speaking directly to them – “The kingdom of God will be taken from you” – In their stead the kingdom would be “given to a people who will produce its fruit.” “Fruit” – demonstrated righteousness produced out of a life turned from sin Unbelieving religious leaders would not turn from their sin and repent, therefore they could not produce kingdom fruit They were willfully, spiritually barren Therefore they were cursed like the fig tree that had leaves but no figs “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” (21:43-44)

The Reaction (vv ) Chief priests and Pharisees knew they were the evil subjects in Jesus’ parables – The son who falsely told his father he would work in the field but did not go – Wretched farmers who despised the vineyard owner, beat and killed his servants, and killed his son – The builders who rejected the stone that would become the chief cornerstone Because of that rejection they would be rejected by God and forbidden entrance into His kingdom But... – They heard but did not heed, they would not turn from their sin – They would not follow Jesus – Their thoughts were of self-justification and revenge They plotted to seize Jesus and have Him put to death; but their fear of the multitude prevented them from acting When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.(21:45-46)

Conclusion Passage portrays God’s: – Gracious provision for men – Patience with their unbelief and rejection – Love in sending His only Son for their redemption – Righteous judgment when His patience has run its course Jesus’ deity as the Son of God – Obedience to God’s and willingness even to come to earth and die for man’s redemption – Coming one day as the instrument of divine judgment Sinful mankind – Great blessings and privileges from God – Opportunity to receive truth from His prophets – Opportunity to receive eternal life from the Son Man’s responsibility and accountability before a loving but just God – They will be either redeemed because of faith – Or condemned because of unbelief