The Master's Vineyard

33 “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“ ‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

this was the Lord’s doing,

and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

PRAY

Context

Matthew 21 —> Middle of Passion Week.

After Jesus has “cleansed the Temple”

Chief Priests & the elders —> questions Jesus authority

Chief Priests = A group of individuals in charge of temple worship in Jerusalem, and regarded as leading representatives of the Jewish people, who came into conflict with Jesus Christ & plotted his death.

Elders = Leaders in the synagogue who helped guide people in the traditions of the religion. Any older member of a society having influence or advisory power.

Jesus asks, “where did the baptism of John come from, from heaven or from man?”

They were afraid to answer - so they don’t

Jesus says, “well I’m not going to you either.”

Jesus begins a series of 3 parables...

Body - Exegesis of Matthew 21:33-46

This parable is true Allegory - “story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.”

Master does all the work to set up a Vineyard that will work properly

This was a standard practice of wealthy landowners - they would go tend to their other important business.

Gives the Vineyard to these tenants to ‘steward’ —> some sort of agreement that they would take care of this Vineyard, raise the crops & then bring the harvest to the Master

It would typically take 4 years for a crop of grapes to actually produce the amount needed.

It seems that over those 4 years the tenants developed some sense of arrogance & entitlement —>

The Master, rightfully sends his servants to receive the harvest that should have been prepared in His absence

The tenants “took his servants & beat one, killed another, and stoned another”

So the Master sends MORE servants...

“And they did the same to them.”

“Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”

Now, this Allegory is pretty straightforward if you are familiar with the narrative of the Bible.

The story of the Bible literally begins in a garden —> Vineyard —> that is set up by the Master & it is the peoples job to steward it and care for it… “failed”

Then later, God’s people travel to the Promised Land that has been ‘prepared for them’ - “failed”

When the people of God begin worshipping idols & false gods - The Master sends Judges & then Prophets to warn the people & restore God’s order.

Many of the prophets are beaten, stoned, or killed for the message they brought.

Remember, this is in the middle of Passion Week, Christ has not yet gone to the cross, but here he says...

“They threw the Son out of the Vineyard & killed him”

In a few days, Jesus will be marched out of the city, bearing his own cross, to Golgotha, where he will be crucified.

But then Jesus does something curious —> He makes the Chief Priests & the Elders pronounce their own judgement...

He asks them, ‘ When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

They are forced to respond, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will him fruits in their seasons.”

Greek translation = “wretches will be put to a wretched death” —> the death they will suffer will match their wickedness.

Now again, the RLs, especially the CPs & the Elders would have been VERY familiar with the Hebrew Bible (OT) & the history of Israel & its prophets...

In fact these were the scrolls that were taught from in the synagogues - Jesus himself had done this earlier...

In Luke 4:17-21 “And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.””

In verse 42 Jesus quotes the OT - Psalm 118:22

- Have you never read the Scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

Psalm 118 was a familiar Psalm to all the people of Israel. —> Part of it was read in the Call to Worship

It is believed to have been written after the rebuilding of the Temple, OR the walls of Jerusalem...

It also became a part of the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) & the Passover Feast.

Likely the Psalm that Jesus sang with his disciples after the Last Supper.

Original Meaning - The set apart nature of the People of Israel

Psalm 118:22–23 ESV

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

NOW Jesus reinterprets this Psalm to be about the Messiah - Himself

Jesus Alludes to another part of the Scriptures in Matthew 21:43-44

Matthew 21:43–44 (ESV)

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Jesus is a scholar of the OT - (He is the Word)

I want you to see this as the CPs & the Elders would have.

They would have recalled the words of Isaiah...

Isaiah - Turn there now - Chapter 5:1-7

English Standard Version (Chapter 5)

1 Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard:My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2 He dug it and cleared it of stones,and planted it with choice vines;he built a watchtower in the midst of it,and hewed out a wine vat in it;and he looked for it to yield grapes,but it yielded wild grapes. 3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah,judge between me and my vineyard. 4 What more was there to do for my vineyard,that I have not done in it?When I looked for it to yield grapes,why did it yield wild grapes? 5 And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard.I will remove its hedge,and it shall be devoured;I will break down its wall,and it shall be trampled down. 6 I will make it a waste;it shall not be pruned or hoed,and briers and thorns shall grow up;I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting;and he looked for justice,but behold, bloodshed;for righteousness,but behold, an outcry!

But the Allusion to Isaiah doesn’t stop there

Isaiah 8:14-15 “And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”

Isaiah 28:16-17 “therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.”

‘A plumb line is a weight suspended from a string used as a vertical reference line to ensure a structure is centered. As they always find the vertical axis pointing to the center of gravity, they ensure everything is right, justified and centered.’

APPLICATION

Here Jesus himself illustrates the importance of Knowing the Word of God...

If the RLs (CPs & Elders) knew & rightly understood the History of Israel that we have in the OT —> they would not missed the Messiah & rejected the Cornerstone - Jesus Christ.

We cannot rightly understand Jesus & the NT without the OT…

“Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian” - A.W. Tozer

“The Old Testament may be likened to a chamber richly furnished but dimly lighted; the introduction of light brings into it nothing which was not in it before; but it brings into clearer view much of what is in but was only dimly or even not at all perceived.” - B.B. Warfield

“Thus the Old Testament revelation of God is not corrected by the fuller revelation that follows it (NT), but only perfected, extended and enlarged.” - B.B. Warfield

Theology = Knowledge of God - Two Pitfalls - ‘I hate theology.’ or ‘ I love theology’…

“The purpose of Theology is doxology” - J.I. Packer

As we return to our text & this Parable, it is important to note just where this passage is located...

In the middle of Passion Week (Wednesday?)

Sunday - the crowd joyfully welcomes Jesus - “Hosana to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosana in the highest!”

Thursday - Jesus will be arrested in the Garden

Friday - Jesus will be crucified.

Matthew 21:45–46 (ESV)

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

APPLICATION

Don’t miss the Kingdom of God...

Why did the RLs (CPs & Elders) become arrogant & miss the Messiah that was right before them?

It was not for lack of study or knowing the Scriptures...

Maybe they were too close & lacked proper perspective...

It seems they were locked into a perception that The Messiah would come in a certain way - as a Political Figure that would fix all of their problems

Tim mentioned this last week briefly & the longer that I walk with Jesus the more I see this in myself too...

It is easy to heap judgement onto the RLs (Pharisees, CPs, Elders, Lawyers, Sadducees) for missing what was right in front of them.

The more I read the Scriptures & study - The more I see Jesus’ warnings to the RLs as warnings to ME, warnings to US, warnings to the Church...

These were the folks that attended worship services on a regular basis

That served in worship services

That taught others how to worship & lead religious lives

That worked to protect the truth of their religion...

Are we in danger of missing the Kingdom because of our arrogance?

Can we become so certain that Lord is going to work in one specific way that we miss the myriad of ways that He is active & building His church by making disciples who make disciples?

We must constantly return to the Scriptures to align ourselves with Jesus & with the way of the Lord.

We can easily become certain of theology & doctrines that are in fact outside of the Scriptures - or one myopic interpretation of a verse outside of it’s context - “It takes the whole Bible to make a whole Christian.”

We can become convinced that a political leader, the right political leader, will fix all of our problems … Just like the RLs

Friends - return to the Lord - “righteousness is the plumb-line”

“Lord I need you, oh I need you. Every Hour I need You...”

2. Produce Fruit

Is your foundation built upon Christ, the Cornerstone - The foundation brings alignment! —>

Verse 43 “The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.”

1 Peter 2:3-10

English Standard Version (Chapter 2)

3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,a cornerstone chosen and precious,and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”8 and“A stone of stumbling,and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

A new people of God has been created, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” —> those whose foundation is built upon the cornerstone...

“Proclaim the Excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness...”

Make Disciples who make disciples

Small Group - corporate disciple making

Mentor-ship (Paul & Timothy)/D-Group (Accountability Group) - shared disciple making.

Parenting —> You are the Primary Discipler

Evangelism - beginning of disciple-making

Producing fruit = Growing in Christlikeness & helping others grow in Christlikeness

Alignment - Plumb-line

Parable of the two sons -> “Delayed obedience is better than dis-obedience”

You may have heard “Delayed obedience is dis-obedience.” - The principal is true & yet before this parable, Jesus teaches something slightly different (not antithetical to this principle, but a fuller picture & understanding)

Matthew 21:28–32 (ESV)

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

The good news that Jesus is offering & explaining here is that REPENTANCE remains available for those that have been dis-obedient.

If I understand these passages correctly, and I think that I do, the RLs could have repented when they understood themselves to be the Wicked Tenants in the parable.

Tim preached on this a couple of weeks ago - “The Laborers in the Vineyard” Matthew 20:1-16 - Those that worked all day received the same reward as those that worked for an hour.

CONCLUSION

There are 2 commands to us in this passage

If you are in Christ —> Produce fruit so that when they Master returns for the Harvest, you may present His harvest to Him.

If you are NOT in Christ —> Receive the grace that He freely offers - don’t let the Cornerstone be a rock of stumbling & rock of offense - but the foundation of your life...

Exodus 34 - The Lord defines Himself as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love & faithfulness”

English Standard Version (Psalm 118)

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,“His steadfast love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say,“His steadfast love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the LORD say,“His steadfast love endures forever.” 5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD;the LORD answered me and set me free. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.What can man do to me? 7 The LORD is on my side as my helper;I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 10 All nations surrounded me;in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees;they went out like a fire among thorns;in the name of the LORD I cut them off! 13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my song;he has become my salvation. 15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous:“The right hand of the LORD does valiantly, 16 the right hand of the LORD exalts,the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!” 17 I shall not die, but I shall live,and recount the deeds of the LORD. 18 The LORD has disciplined me severely,but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD;the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the LORD’s doing;it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the LORD has made;let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we pray, O LORD!O LORD, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!We bless you from the house of the LORD. 27 The LORD is God,and he has made his light to shine upon us.Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,up to the horns of the altar! 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever

- As we sing Christ Alone, Cornerstone - Reflect - “Is Christ your Cornerstone - or do you need to be re-aligned with the Cornerstone?”

- (On Christ the Solid Rock I stand) - “Are you standing upon the rock, the Cornerstone, or have you built upon a different foundation?”)

PRAY

Father, we are grateful that you are God who is “gracious & merciful & abounding in steadfast love.”

May we be people who produce fruit for your harvest - make disciples who make disciples.

Help us to align our lives with Christ, the Cornerstone & walk in his ways.

Draw men & women to yourself & build Your Church, Your people - use us to help...

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