Matthew - Week 67

Killing the Heir 

READ 

Matthew 21:37-39 

37 “Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 39 So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.” 

Jesus continued the parable of the owner who represented God and a vineyard that represented Israel. At this point in the story, the son represents the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only son. The renters rejected the son, dragging him out of the vineyard and murdering him.  

REFLECT 

Have you heard a story that seemed to characterize you, where you identified with one of the characters? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about what it would have been like for the religious leaders to hear Jesus’ story. How long do you think it would have taken them to catch on He was really talking about them? 

The Owner's Response 

READ 

Matthew 21:40-41 

40 “When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?” 41 The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.” 

Jesus had told this story to point out what the religious leaders were guilty of. When Jesus asked this question they didn’t realize the story was about them. It was clear to these leaders that the owner of the property would put the renters to death for killing others and even his own son. Their realization that the owner would give the vineyard to others would later be seen as it being given to the Gentiles.  

REFLECT 

A parable is similar to an illustration in a message. Have you noticed that sometimes a pastor will use an illustration to make his point more vivid? 

RESPOND 

Consider some of the illustrations you have heard in sermons. You may remember the illustrations, but do you remember the point the stories were making? Discuss this with a friend and try to remember the points being made. 

The Rejected Stone 

READ 

Matthew 21:42-44 

42 Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, 

and it is wonderful to see.’ 43 I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. 44 Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” 

Jesus reminded the religious leaders of what the Scriptures said in Psalm 118:22-23. Jesus also told them the kingdom of God would be taken from them and given to another. In Matthew’s Gospel the “kingdom of God” is only used five times and the “kingdom of heaven” is used 32 times. Both originate from above. Matthew’s Jewish readers avoided pronouncing the name “Yahweh” or “Jehovah.” Writing in Greek, the word theos was used for “God,” a word with which “theology” is associated.  

REFLECT 

How precious are the names “God” and “Jesus” to you? What comes to your mind when you hear these special names? 

RESPOND 

Talk with another believer about what it means to end your prayer in “Jesus’ name.” It should mean that you are praying for whatever is His will.  

Misplaced Fear 

READ 

Matthew 21:45-46 

45 When the leading priests and Pharisees heard this parable, they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet. 

Now it dawned on the religious leaders that Jesus was referring to them in His parable. If they had their way they would have had Him arrested on the spot and killed. The large crowd who believed in Jesus caused the leaders to be afraid to take any action against Him. Strangely, they were not afraid of the one who claimed to be the Son of God, but they were afraid of the crowds. 

REFLECT 

Do you sometime find yourself fearing the wrong thing? Is it difficult for you to keep eternity’s values in view? What do you do to help change your thinking? 

RESPOND 

Some fear things they have no need to fear. It is said that some fear public speaking more than they fear death. The major concern should be whether they fear separation from God for eternity after death and decide to trust in Jesus as Savior. John 3:16 and 6:40 tell them what they need to do.  

Come to the Wedding Feast 

READ 

Matthew 22:1-3 

1 Jesus also told them other parables. He said, 2 “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. 3 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!” 

Matthew records another parable Jesus told. This one had to do with a wedding feast the king prepared for “his son,” again a reference to Jesus Himself. People were invited to the great feast, but they refused to come. Notice especially that people were invited. God gave His only Son to come into the world and die on the cross for sin. All are invited to come to Him for salvation, but only those who come by faith are accepted by God.  

REFLECT 

Remember that the Gospel is inclusive; the pardon Jesus provided is for everyone. The Gospel is also exclusive; it rejects all who refuse to believe in Jesus.  

RESPOND 

Read John 6:37 to see that anyone who comes to Jesus will never be turned away.