2. The Parable of the Vineyard Matthew 21:33-46

3. Review The chief priests challenged Jesus’ authority –Jesus asked about John’s authority –They could not answer In “The Two Sons” –Explains why they could not answer –They were unwilling to repent of their sins –But the sinners who did repent would enter the kingdom

4. Introduction But Jesus has not yet answered the question –“By what authority are you doing these things?” “The Vineyard” will explain the source of Jesus’ authority –It will also further reveal the relative authority of the Jewish leaders

5. The Parable Matthew 21:33-41 –A landowner has a vineyard He sharecrops out the vineyard to some vine- growers At harvest he sends some slaves to collect his share –The vine-growers harm the slaves The landowner eventually sends his son to collect his share –The vine-growers kill the son –The outcome was obvious even to the Jewish leaders

6. The meaning of the parable The vineyard is God’s people (Israel) –Isaiah 5: 1-7 The landowner is God The wicked vine-growers are the Jewish leaders –Matthew 21:45 The slaves sent to collect are the prophets (up to and including John the Baptizer) The son is Jesus Himself

7. Understanding the parable Why did Jesus tell this parable? 1.To identify the source of His authority 2.To identify the source of John’s authority 3.To explain why the Jewish leaders refused to acknowledge that authority 4.To explain the outcome of their rebellion

8. Understanding the parable The source of authority is God the Father The vine growers (Jewish leaders) knew who had authority –Yet they sought to take the vineyard (Israel) away from the landowner (God) – Mt 21:38 –God always knew that this would happen Matt 21:42 (Ps 118:22-23)

9. The rejected stone A parable within a parable –The builders are the Jewish leaders –The building is God’s people (from Israel to the kingdom) –The rejected stone is Jesus The outcome (Matthew 21:43-44) –The kingdom taken away from the Jewish leaders –The kingdom given to those who produce fruit –Those who reject Jesus will be destroyed As prophesied (Isaiah 8: 13-15)

10. Main lesson Same as the lesson in Psalm 2:1-12 –Man’s attempts at rebellion against God are laughable –One-day God will crush all rebellion –Better to surrender and pay homage now to God and His Son

11. Application God often bestows wonderful blessings on His children –But with the blessings come responsibilities –If we fail to make proper use of the blessings, then we will face God’s wrathful judgment –But there were always be those who are fruitful, and the kingdom belongs to them

12. Conclusion Some will hear this message and reject it –Matthew 21:45-46 –Such will be punished (Mt 21:44) Others will hear this message and be fruitful –Such are in the kingdom of God Which group are you part of?