The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Israel’s Rejection of Jesus’ Messiahship

Introduction

This is one of the most interesting parables ever told by Christ. It is interesting because it is both historical and predictive. Christ covered the history of Israel from God’s perspective, just as God sees it (vv. 33-36). Then He predicted or revealed exactly what was going to happen to Israel: they were going to reject God’s own Son (vv. 37-39, 42); and because of their rejection and cruelty, God was going to reject them by giving the Kingdom of God to another people (v. 43).

What is said throughout this passage is applicable to all nations as well as to Israel. God has entrusted the vineyard of the church and of the world to us (Mt. 28:19-20), the new nation, the new creation of God (See God’s New Creation, Eph. 2:11-18). Every point covered in Israel’s history should, therefore, be a dynamic message speaking loudly and clearly to our hearts. There are three major points in this passage.

I.   The parable: Israel’s history as God sees it (vv. 33-41).

II.   The three claims of Jesus (vv. 42-44).

III.   The results of the parable (vv. 45-46).

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Ephesians 2: 11–18
God’s New Creation:  The Church

In verses 11-22 Paul wants the reader to grasp what God has done for man from three points of view.

1.   From an historical view. Before Christ, God dealt with man through the Jewish nation. Since Christ, God has been moving on a worldwide scale to include both Jews and Gentiles who are willing to follow Christ. God takes both Jew and Gentile believers and He makes them the citizens of His new race, His new nation, His new creation (see Eph. 2:14-15; 4:17).

2.   From an individual view. The Jewish nation was made up of individual Jews, and the Gentile nations are made up of individual Gentiles. Therefore, God deals with each single person even as He deals with the Jewish nation and with the corporate nations of the Gentile world (1 Cor. 10:32; Eph. 2:10).

3.   From a new creation view. God is no longer dealing with earthly divisions of nations. He is dealing with a new nationality of people, a new body of people who make up the true citizens of His Kingdom. These citizens are individuals from all the nations of the world who now approach God through the Lord Jesus Christ. God promises to spiritually recreate any person who approaches Him through Christ. God causes that person to be born again; He makes a new man out of him. God further promises the new man that he will become a member of God’s new body and new nation of people — His true church (1 Cor. 10:32). It is these believers — those who believe in Christ — who are to constitute the true family of God and to inhabit the new heavens and earth which God is to create in the future (2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 21:lf). ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

I.   Mathew 21: 33–41   History of Israel

Israel’s history as God sees it. The landowner is God. The vineyard is Israel, true Israel, the people of God. The tenants are the religious leaders of Israel; the servants are the prophets; and the Son is Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Isa. 5:1-7).

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 33
God’s Care and Provision for the World,
the Church and Israel

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine-press in it and built a watchtower.” Mathew 21: 33

God planted a vineyard. The vineyard can be looked upon in several ways.

1.   The vineyard is Israel, that is, true Israel, a people for God (Isa. 5:7).

2.   The vineyard is the Kingdom of God which Israel was to look after. This is probably the most accurate understanding of what Christ meant and what actually happens in God’s dealing with men. He entrusts His kingdom or church (vineyard) into our hands and expects us to cultivate it (v. 43).

3.   The vineyard can also be applied to the earth itself, to which Israel was to minister.

Note three marvellous things that God did for His vineyard. He provided every conceivable thing needed to take care of His vineyard and the tenants. Everything was provided to assure growth and fruitfulness. The tenants had no excuse for not producing.

1.   God “put a wall around it.” This was a wall built around the vineyard to keep the animals away from the grapes. The hedge or wall assured growth and fruitfulness.

John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

Phil 1:11 Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.

Col 1:10-11 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully.

2.   God dug a wine-press. This was a trough or vat into which the wine was pressed. The trough was sometimes dug in rock, sometime built out of wood. The trough stands for the equipment which God provides to get His work done.

Mat 25:15 “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Rom 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

1 Cor 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

3.   God built a watchtower. This was a watchtower used to guard and protect the vineyard from thieves. The tower stands for the assurance and security of God’s care which He gives to His tenants (Mt. 6:25-34).

Mat 6:31-32 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

Mat 6:31-32 “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

1 Pet 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Phil 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 33
Labour, Responsibility, Ministry

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a wine-press in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey.” Mathew 21: 33

God entrusted His vineyard to tenants. The tenants were the nation and people of Israel, in particular the leaders (both religious and civil). Everyone was responsible to take care of the whole nation, looking after everyone else, thereby contributing to the welfare and provision of all. (Cp. the whole body of the church and every member’s responsibility to labour in the vineyard, 1 Cor. 12:12f.) Note two things.

1.   God puts trust in men. Think what a glorious privilege it is to be trusted by God! Imagine how dear God’s vineyard is to Him, and then think about how He entrusts its care to us and not to angels nor to some other higher form of being. What a wonderful and marvellous thing that God would trust us with His most precious vineyard!

2.   God gives freedom to man. God left the tenants to care for His vineyard as they wished. They were to exercise their will and energy in caring for the vineyard. They had the glorious privilege of freedom, of being free to use their own ingenuity and ideas and not have someone looking over their shoulders forcing behaviour.

Gen 1:27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Psa 8:6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet.

Mat 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.”

1 Cor 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

1 Tim 6:20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.

Luke 19:13 “So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’” ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 34–35
Man’s Rebellion, Rejection and Persecution

"When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect the fruit. The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third.” Mathew 21: 34–35

God sent messengers to gather the fruits of His vineyard. The messengers would be the prophets and the good and godly leaders throughout Israel’s history (judges, kings, and priests).

Note three things.

1.   Fruit was expected. Every tenant, that is, every person was responsible for the vineyard; everyone was expected to labour and produce.

2.   A day of accountability came. Every man was expected to pay his dues and to make his contribution for the wonderful privilege of living in the beautiful vineyard and being blessed by it. (The Kingdom of God, the world, the church — however one applies this passage — all are wonderful vineyards for which we are responsible to contribute what fruit we can.)

Luke 13:6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.”

John 15:5-6 “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 15:5-6 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

3.   The tenants rebelled and refused to pay the Master. In fact, their rebellion led to the persecution and murder of God’s servants.

a.   Man deliberately rebels against God. Man wants to rule the vineyard himself. He wants to be the king of the kingdom, the ruler of the earth, and even the head of the church. He wants things to go his way, to rule and reign as he desires and wills. He wants no authority above himself; he wants to live as he wishes and do things as he wishes. He wants to claim the fruit for himself.

b.   Man wants his own way so much that he ridicules, slanders, persecutes and even murders the true servants of God.

Acts 7:52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him. (see Mt. 23:34-37; Heb.11:36-38)

c.   The servant of God must understand that he is called to suffer (See Persecution, Mt. 21:36). ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 36    Persecution

“Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way.” Mathew 21: 36

God showed patience ­ He continued to send messengers. All through Israel’s history God loved and showed His loving-kindness by not reacting and rejecting the nation. God has given us chance after chance. He sends messengers across our path time after time. He loves us and longs for us to pay our dues. He longs for us to bear fruit and live as we should.

Tragically, most tenants continue as always: rebelling and claiming all rights to the vineyard and to their own lives. Therefore, they continue to react against God’s messengers.

Thought 1. How many believers, laymen and ministers alike, are mistreated by the world!

Phil 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.

2 Tim 3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

1 Pet 4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be over­joyed when his glory is revealed. (see 1 Pet. 2:21; 4:5-6; Mt. 19:29; Rom. 8:16-17) ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 37–39 Jesus Christ, Deity – Death

“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 inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.” Mathew 21: 37–39

God finally sent His Son. God wanted to speak to man Himself. Perhaps they would listen to His voice and reverence His rights. He condescended and asked His Son to leave the glory of eternity and to bring His Word to earth, speaking face to face with man.

Note five facts.

1.   Christ claimed to be God’s Son. He was different from all the servants sent before. He was more than another man-servant; He was God’s very own Son. There is no question that Christ was making this unique claim for Himself.

2.   The tenants saw God’s Son. There were all kinds of evidence: Old Testament prophecies; the testimony of John the Baptist; Jesus’ own claim and the miraculous works; the signs of the times (Gal. 4:4); the feeling that He was the promised Messiah, even among those who now opposed Him (Jn. 3:l-2; cp. Jn. 11:47-52). This is the tragic indictment against the Jews. Down deep within they had a sense that Jesus really was the Messiah, but sin and greed for position, esteem, power, and security kept them from acknowledging Him. Their unbelief was deliberate and obstinate (Mt. 21:23-27).

3.   The tenants plotted His death (Mt. 12:14; Jn. 11:53).

4.  The tenants planned to seize His inheritance. Man wants to possess the kingdom, nation, property, power, rule, reign, position, esteem, fame, recognition, and wealth. Whatever the possession is, man wants the possession himself; and he will deny, deceive, lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to get it. (Mt. 12:1-8).

5.   The tenants murdered the Son. They committed the worst crime in human history. They killed the Son of God Himself. Note that Christ’s death was being prophesied. He was predicting His death Himself, and His death was to be a willing act on His part. He knew death lay ahead and could have escaped, but He chose to die. It was in “God’s set purpose and foreknowledge” (Acts 2:23).

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Eph 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 40–41   Judgment – Church

“Therefore, when the owner 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 him his share of the crop at the harvest time.” Mathew 21: 40–41

God is to judge the tenants. There are three important points here.

1.   Christ said that the Lord of the vineyard is coming. He is coming to revenge the death of His only Son.

2.   God is coming to destroy the wicked. The destruction is to be wretched (kakos) and terrible. Note: it was both the rulers and the people who said that justice would be executed. Man, by his very nature, expects injustice to be punished.

3.   God is going to trust His vineyard to others. Again, it was the crowd who said this. Even man knows that a vineyard will not lie unkempt. It will be cultivated by someone. God will raise up a new people to care for it (the church, the new creation of God. See Israel, Gentiles, Church — New Creation, Mt. 21:43.)

Mat 3:10 “The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

John 15:6 “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

Heb 6:8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

II.   Mathew 21: 42–44   Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone

Christ made three astounding claims in these verses, claims that affect both world history and the personal destiny of everyone who ever lives in the world.

1.   He is the Head Cornerstone or Capstone. (See Jesus Christ, Head Cornerstone, Mt. 21:42.)

2.   God shall turn away from Israel to another nation. (See Israel, Gentiles, Church — New Creation, Mt. 21:43.)

3.   A man’s rejection of Christ will cause that man to be crushed.

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 42   Jesus Christ, Head Cornerstone

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 marvellous in our eyes.” Mathew 21: 42

Christ is the Head cornerstone (Lk. 2:34). This is a quotation from Psa. 118:22-23 which was recognized as a Messianic prophecy. The Messiah was to be the Head Cornerstone who was to begin building the Kingdom of God and who was to support all other stones or leaders who came later. The religious leaders standing around Christ would know that He was referring to the Messiah (Isa. 28:16; Dan. 2:34; Zee. 3:9).

But note the prophecy: the stone is to be rejected at first. It is considered unsuitable, useless for the building, so the builders do not allow the stone to be a part of the building. It is cast aside and treated as undesirable.

However, the great Architect overrules the builders. He raises the stone from the graveyard of rejected stones and exalts it to the position of Head cornerstone, the stone which supports all other stones and which holds the building of God’s kingdom together (Phil. 2:9-11; Eph. 2:20.)

The symbolism of the Head cornerstone says at least two significant things.

1.   The cornerstone is the first stone laid. All other stones are placed after it. It is the pre-eminent stone in time. So it is with Christ; He is the first of God’s new movement.

=>   Christ is the Author of salvation. All others are the readers of the story.

Heb 2:10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

=>   Christ is the Source of eternal salvation, of our faith. All who trust and obey Him are partakers of that Source.

Heb 5:9 And, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

=>   Christ is the Alpha and Omega — the beginning and the end. All others come after Him and are in between Him.

Rev 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (see 21:6; 22:13)

=>   Christ is the Forerunner, the One who went before us into the very presence of God. All others enter God’s presence after Him.

Heb 6:19-20 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

2.   The cornerstone is the supportive stone. All other stones are placed upon it and held up by it. They all rest upon it. It is the pre-eminent stone in position and power. So it is with Christ; He is the support and power, the Foundation of God’s new movement.

=>   Christ is the Head Cornerstone (Capstone), the only true foundation upon which man can build. All who are not laid upon Him will crumble.

1 Cor 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

=>   Christ is the Chief Cornerstone upon which all others are fitly formed together. All who wish to be fitly formed together have to be laid upon Him.

Eph 2:20-22 Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

=>   Christ is the Living Stone upon which all others are built. It is upon Him that we are built up into a spiritual house. All others have to be built upon Him if they wish to live and have their spiritual sacrifice accepted by God.

1 Pet 2:4-5 As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 43
Israel, Gentiles, Church – New Creation

“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.” Mathew 21: 43

God shall take away His kingdom and give it to another nation. Christ gave a prophecy that dramatically affects world history: His vineyard or kingdom is going to be taken away from Israel and given to another people.

There are several important facts that need to be understood at this point in order to grasp the significance of the Lord’s prophecy.

1.   Israel was the nation of people raised up by God to be His witness to the world (Jn. 4:22).

a.   Israel bore up the name of God in the world.

Psa 76:1-2 In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.

b.   Israel was given the very words of God, that is, the Word of God, the revelation of God to the world.

Rom 3:1-2 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

c.   Israel was a greatly privileged people in spiritual things.

Rom 9:4-5 The people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

d.   Israel was given the glorious plan of salvation.

John 4:22 “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.”

e.   Israel was given the glorious privilege of being God’s witnesses upon the earth.

Isa 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”

2.   Israel failed God in its God-given mission and failed God miserably. Therefore, God took His kingdom away from them. As Christ points out in this parable, they “took [God’s] servants, they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third” (v. 35-36). Then they committed the most atrocious crime of history: they rejected and killed God’s very own Son (v. 39). All through its history Israel was unfruitful except for a bright spot here and there. They opposed the reins of God upon their lives, and in the final step of rebellion, they rejected and opposed the gospel of Christ. Therefore, they forfeited their Godly privileges. The Kingdom of God was taken from them and given to another nation.

a.   God turned from Israel because they killed His Son.

Mat 21:39, 41 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

b.   God turned from Israel because they were unfruitful.

Mat 21:43 “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.”

c.   God turned from Israel because they sought after righteousness by law and not by faith.

Rom 9:31-33 But Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

d.   God turned from Israel because they would not submit themselves to the righteousness of God.

Rom 10:2-3 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

e.   God turned from Israel because they did not obey the gospel.

Rom 10:16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

f.   God turned from Israel because they were a disobedient and obstinate people.

Rom 10:21 But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

g.   God turned from Israel because of unbelief.

Rom 11:20-22 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

3.   Israel as a nation was never saved. Not all citizens believed in God. When God chose Israel to be His people, He did not mean national salvation. God knew that not all the citizens of Israel would believe. Not all citizens of any nation believe. What God meant, very simply, was that Israel as a nation was to be the primary recipient and messenger of His Kingdom and gospel. Salvation was never a national matter, not a matter of race or heritage. It was always a matter of personal belief. There was never a moment in Israel’s history when every Jew believed in the promises of God.

Rom 9:6-8 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.

Rom 9:27, 29 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.” It is just as Isaiah said previously: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”

Rom 2:28-29 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.

Rom 4:13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Rom 4:3-8 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

4.   Israel did, however, always have a remnant, a small number of genuine believers (Rom. l1:1-10; see 9:27-29).

Rom 9:27, 29 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.” It is just as Isaiah said previously: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”

Rom 11:1-5 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah - how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me.” And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

5.   God turned to a new nation and gave His kingdom to them.

Mat 21:43 “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.”

Rom 9:25-26 As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

Rom 9:30-33 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Rom 10:20 And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”

Rom 11:30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience.

6.   God’s new people or nation was to be a new creation; that is, it was not to be an existing people or nation. Just as God had created Israel to be a new nation through one man, Abraham, so God was to create another new people through one Man, Jesus Christ.

Two things need to be noted about God’s new people or nation.

a.   The land or inheritance of this new nation is not of this earth but of heaven. The inheritance is of the spiritual dimension of being; it is heavenly and eternal. It is not of the physical dimension of being; it is not worldly and temporal.

b.   The citizens of this new nation are people from all earthly nations who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. When a person from any nation of the earth believes in Christ, God takes that person and gives him a new birth spiritually. (Jn. 3:3-17; 1 Pet. l:23; 1 Jn. 5:l, 4-5). The person becomes a new creature and a new man (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:24: Col. 3:10).

All believers counted together are said to comprise...

•   the citizens of the new people or nation (Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 2:9).

•   the family and household of God (Eph. 2:19; 5:1, 8; see Rom. 8:16-17).

•   a new body of believers (1 Cor. 12:12-14; Eph. 2:16).

•   a holy temple (Eph. 2:21-22).

•   a new race (Eph. 4:17).

•   a spiritual house ( 1 Pet. 2:5).

•   a holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5).

•   a chosen people (1 Pet. 2:9).

•   a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9).

•   a peculiar people, a people belonging to God (1 Pet. 2:9).

•   the people of God (1 Pet. 2:10).

•   strangers, aliens, and pilgrims on earth (1 Pet. 2:11).

7.   God is going to restore Israel; that is, He is going to have mercy upon Israel and turn them from ungodliness. Why? That He might have mercy upon all, both Gentile and Jew (Rom. 11:32). ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 44
Judgment: Stumbling Stone, Crushing Stone

“He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” Mathew 21: 44

Christ said two types of people are doomed.

1.   The people who stumble over Christ, the Head cornerstone of God, are doomed. Many who stood around Christ in that day stumbled and many stumble today. Many cannot believe that God actually sent His Son into the world. The idea that God would humiliate Himself that much is beyond understanding, so they refuse to believe. The belief that Christ was a great teacher is acceptable to them; but acknowledging Him to be more than a man, to be the Son of God who was to die for the sins of the world, is beyond them. Therefore, they stumble over the cornerstone, the very foundation which God has laid for the salvation of man. They stumble and fall over who He is, and they are shattered and broken (Lk. 2:34).

2.   The men who oppose Christ over His being the Head cornerstone are doomed. Some actively oppose Christ and His kingdom. They say and teach that He is not really the Son of God. Neither He nor any other human being could ever be the Son of God. A good man, yes, but never the Son of God who has been exalted to the right hand of God. Christ says the Son (He Himself) will crush those who oppose Him, those who lead others astray trying to stamp out belief in Him and His kingdom. Severe judgment, holy vengeance shall straighten out all the injustices and sins of men. ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

Mathew 21: 44   Titles of Jesus Christ

“He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.” Mathew 21: 44

There are four pictures of Christ as the Stone given in Scripture. Each shows how the coming of Christ affects the world (Lk. 2:34).

1.   Christ is the Head or Chief Cornerstone, the Foundation Stone. He is the Foundation and Cornerstone upon which every man must build his life. There is no other Foundation upon which man can build and be secure. In addition, Christ is the Foundation and Cornerstone of the church (See Jesus Christ, Head Cornerstone, Mt. 21:42; See 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-5.)

2.   Christ is the Stumbling Stone and the Rock of Offense. Some cannot understand the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. Others are repulsed by the cross and His blood. They stumble and are offended by His deity and death for sins. Israel was the first to stumble and multitudes have stumbled ever since (See Judgement: Stumbling Stone, Mt. 21:44. See Isa. 8:14-15; Rom. 9:32-33; 1 Cor. l:23; 1 Pet. 2:8.)

3.   Christ is the Crushing Stone or the Striking Stone of Destruction (Mt. 21:44; Dan. 2:34). Christ rules and reigns at the right hand of God now. However, with so much evil and destruction in the world, it may appear as though He is not ruling; but He is. He is just waiting until more and more persons believe, not willing that any should perish. But the day of redemption for the believer and of destruction for the unbeliever is coming. He shall become the Crushing Stone, the Smiting Stone of Destruction to all who oppose Him. He shall crush and smite, destroying all who stand in opposition to Him. This apparently refers both to individuals and to world powers who oppose Him (See Judgement: Crushing Stone, Mt. 21:44. See Dan. 2:34; Rev. 16:13; 19:17.)

4.   Christ is the Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4-5). He was disallowed by men but chosen by the Chief Architect, God Himself, and counted as the most Precious of Stones. All men who come to Him are laid upon Him, and they are built up into a spiritual house to offer up spiritual sacrifices (See Jesus Christ, Head Cornerstone, Mt. 21:42). ♠

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==

III.   Mathew 21: 45–46   Response to the Parable

The results of the parable are threefold.

1.   The religionists saw that Christ was speaking directly to them, but their consciences were seared by obstinate unbelief (1 Tim. 4:2). They were insensitive to His warnings (Mt. 21:41-44).

2.   The religionists reacted instead of repenting. They should have heeded the Lord’s warning, but they did not. They were set against Him, seeking to destroy Him and to silence His claim.

3.   The people saw Christ only as a prophet (a great teacher) and not as the Messiah. This too is tragic, but God was able to use their respect to protect Christ until the appointed time of His death. ♣

==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==◊==