Rejection Pt 2 - Relent

Matthew 21:28-45

By way of introduction - look into the context of these parables -

Matthew 21:23–27 

23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” 

24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 

25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 

26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 

27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Now lets examine His first parable given to further His point

Will of the Father, Killing the Son, Jesus seeks to be a light to His people and many, many flock to Him. of the prophet John we are told the witness of JTB in John 5:35  “ He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.”

Will of the Father

Matthew 21:28–32

(The parable) 28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’

29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.

30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.

(the answer) 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.

32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

Whats the word for this? Jesus uses it often. How many claim Christ but don’t love. Not as the world loves in permissive sin and excuses. Real Christ-like love looks like the law fulfilled.

31-32 - I ask you, which of these two? Jesus has presented Scripture, fulfilled prophecy, shown his authority over creation and given sufficient cause to trust in Him, to believe with all they are to hear, and obey.

The condemnation tax collectors and harlots. Not those still in those professions mind you but those that repented. Zaccheus a jew, given to many sins, repented and swore his obedience and showed it by acts worthy of repentance. Repaying those he stole from. He remembered and then took action. Why? Luke 7:29–30  “ And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.”

Its not about forgiveness but the assurance that their status, that being sanhedrin, pharisee, priest, high priest, scribe, no religious standing can save anyone.

be you a weak or powerful, pastor or attendee, Christ calls and is the only way.

Remembering the conversation about John, considered to be the way preparer. Point to Messiah, and John (even though slightly confused) pointed to Jesus, the way, truth, and life. There is no other way except Him. (Jn 14:6)

Luke 7:29  “ And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.”

The people simply love God and follow him. God’s Son tells them enter the door, they? (build a water park in kids church)

Again, He points to the rejection , also, in their failure to obey the father they end up…

Killing the Son

Matthew 21:33–46

33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner (father) who planted a vineyard (Israel) and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers (leaders) and went into a far country.

34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants (prophets) to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.

35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.

36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.

HTT Isaiah 5, This is a powerful parable Jesus shares with them a song from Isaiah 5:1–7  “ Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill. 2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes. 3 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. 4 What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes? 5 And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6 I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, But there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds That they rain no rain on it.” 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.”

Israel was, and is Gods vineyard.

Time and time again, people attacked the prophets of God, killed them, imprisoned them, beheaded them.

they hear, repent, then a generation or so, then returning to walking in the flesh. Even still…

37 Then last of all he sent his son (Jesus) to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’

39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.

As much as this is a condemnation of the leaders of the Jews, we do the same. We hear of Jesus love, compassion, forgiveness and grace and cry oh how we love jesus.

but we reject the completeness of our God. His purity, righteousness, justice.

We (they) kill Christ while pretending to be His. Hebrews 13:12  “ Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

The world, even the religious world, truly know better. They know that sin, must be punished. That Gods wrath that great day of the Lord, to Judge sin and death. Romans 1:18  “ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”

And Jesus does what the Word would do, turn them to the text;

Now before we read the next, think, who are the bad guys? Vine dressers. What do they do? Reject the son and kill him. So Jesus responds -

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

‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

How marvelous, how wonderful and our song shall ever be, How marvelous how wonderful that my savior died for me.

It doesn't make sense that we rejoice in suffering, rejoice in the torture of the Cross. It reveals a wondrous thing.

And because He is righteous and just, he builds His church, on Jesus Christ - (Ephesians 2:19–22)

(the answer the cornerstone falls on) 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

With the response in 45-46 the people seems to not understand that He is truly casting judgement on the leaders of Israel. But the leaders do.

Jesus has just quoted Psalm 118:22-23 but the entirety of the text is haunting to them and to us, htt, Psalm 118:21–29  “ I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. 27 God is the Lord, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. (Jesus on the cross) 28 You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. 29 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived (understood) that He was speaking of them.

46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

The people may not have gotten it, but the leaders knew, Jesus is judging them. This blasphemer, this false prophet, condemns them. Holds them to account for their own salvation, and that of the nation. Whom they think are saved by virtue of their birth.

Deuteronomy 32:21  “ They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.”

1 Peter 2:9–10  “ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

God will do as He wills. He will take a humble vessel and use it for His purposes.

they want to take him but fear holds sway over them.

Being taken now, they will be restored entirely later. He seems to have already begun this work, with Israel being restored.

Next time, Lord willing, we’ll examine the wedding feast. The final parable here in the Rejection of Israel Pt. 3.

Jesus didn’t say outright but he does make it clear to the leadership, that He is the Messiah, and that every scripture they ignore, reject, dismiss - they condemn themselves all the more. Just as every rejection of ours shows our just condemnation.