Parable of the Tenants

Whose in charge?

Accept that Jesus is in charge and let him rule your life his way.

Reason for their questions is they don’t want to accept Jesus because it means they have to admit to being wrong.

I winder when you find it hard to accept that someone else is in charge?

Ever find it hard to admit you are wrong?

I had a teacher in school who used to send me out in every lesson

We all do at times. What about of your life in general. Who is in charge. Mum, dad? You? What about Jesus do you think he should be in charge?

In Mark we have been asking this question. Mark says Jesus is good news, God’s chosen King, and promised rescuer. Seen the miracles. Heard his teaching and claims. Last time we saw how he was the King who was promised 100’s of years before. He was showing everyone around that he was God’s King - who rules over the whole world.

In Mark we have been asking this question. Mark says Jesus is good news, God’s chosen King, and promised rescuer. Seen the miracles. Heard his teaching and claims. Last time we saw how he was the King who was promised 100’s of years before. He was showing everyone around that he was God’s King - who rules over the whole world.

But people around didn’t like the idea that Jesus was in charge. Religious leaders thought they were top guys. Spiritual. Thought God’s gift. These were the guys who had read all the books - whole bible. Memorised it. They should have recognised who Jesus was. But didn’t like idea he was in charge, because it meant admitting they weren’t.

But people around didn’t like the idea that Jesus was in charge. Religious leaders thought they were top guys. Spiritual. Thought God’s gift. These were the guys who had read all the books - whole bible. Memorised it. They should have recognised who Jesus was. But didn’t like idea he was in charge, because it meant admitting they weren’t.

I wonder - when it comes to Jesus - what stops you letting him be in charge of your life?

Maybe thats you at the moment.

Maybe you quite enjoy ruling it yourself. Maybe that you don’t know if you can trust him.

Put of Mark we are looking at today we find Jesus surrounded by these religious leaders. Asking him loads of questions - but didnt really want answers but instead wanted to trick him into saying something they could use against him.

Help us I want to teach you a little bit of Aramaic.

Owatta gu syam

Owatta gu syam

Help us I want to teach you a little bit of Aramaic.

I tricked you there. Used my authority and trust worthiness to get you to say that. Won’t do it again. But religious leaders were trying to do similar to Jesus. Asked him all these questions about life and God - but like multiple choice answers. But either way Jesus answered they would be able to trap him.

You can read of their questions later in chapter 11. But I don’t want to focus on questions - I want to focus on the heart behind them. They weren’t really interested in growing in understand. They just wanted to find a way to get rid of Jesus - because they didn’t want to accept he was in charge.

Passage today is a Parable - a story Jesus told to people who were trying to trip him up - people who didn’t want to accept that Jesus was who he said. So they kept asking all these questions to try and trick him into saying something they could use against him.

Jesus knew what they were about. Knew they were trying to play him. So he told everyone around a story. Let’s read it.

Jesus knew what they were about. He told them a story. Let’s read it.

Whats going on in the story - if you could sum it up in one sentance?

What do you think about the farmers of the vineyard? - awful right. Not their land. Leased to them. Imagine you go on holiday and rent a big room, but when hotel owner sends his staff to get money for the room, you beat them up! Outrageous.

Farmers have leased this vineyard - with reasonable agreement. They can farm it, grow vines - grapes, and do well of the land - as long as they give the owner his share of the crop.

So Farmer sends his servants to collect - and what do they do - mug him. Beat him up. send him back empty handed. Patient Owner - sends another - they do the same. Patient Owner - sends another- this time they kill him. And this keeps happening.

What would you do if you were the Owner?

Owner thinks. This time send his Son. Son carries his authority and power. surely they will listen now. Surely they’ll not dare mess with him.

Now you prob have someone like this in your life. The one you don’t mess with. When I was in school there were some teachers you could push it with - but there was one that no one messed with. Mr Turner. He was scary, he was tough, and he was the debuty head. Knew better. HE was in charge.

He the owner sends his Son. Should be no doubt - he is in charge. Don’t mess with him - be kicked off the land, lose all your rights. Or so you think.

But what do they do with the Son? v7

What do you think the owner should do? Read v9 - Is it a just punishment for their crimes. Yes.

Seems like a simple story. And it makes sense. Owner was right to do what he did - it was his farm. Farmers abused their power, and tried to take charge, even though it wasn’t their place. The should have listened to the messengers - definitely should have listened to the Son! Everyone around would agree that story made sense - except the religious leaders - Have a look at v12.

Read v12. Jesus was telling this story to deal with their hearts. Story of the vineyard is like story of God’s people through history. God made us - he created us and the world we live in. He gives us so many good things. And leaders of God’s people through history were like farmers - supposed to look after the people and the land, and live under God’s rules. But throughout history they continually rejected God and his messengers. Who do you think the Son is in this parable?

JESUS - He’s talking about himself. He knows their hearts. This parable is supposed to be a warning - so they’ll see how wrong they have been, so they’ll listen to Jesus and recognise him as God’s King. but instead what do they do - wanted to arrest him - in fact within a week they will have him killed on a cross. They think they can take charge.

But what does Jesus say v9 - warning. The farmers will face judgement for their actions. And what is really amazing is what Jesus says in v10 - remember last time we saw a prophecy from hundreds of year before come true in Jesus. Well here is another. Verses written years before Jesus was around - he quotes them.

v10-11.

Imagine you walk past a building site one day. You overhear a group of builders on their tea break slagging of the architects plans and cheering as two of their mates sling a large piece of stone that was purchased for the build into the skip. But the next day the builders are nowhere to be seen, and you notice a bunch of new builders coming to work. And then you look at the building, and right at the bottom - the very foundation, what’s stone is right there, set in place? The stone from the skip! The architect has sacked the old builders and restored the cornerstone into pride of place where it belongs, and it will hold up the whole building.

Thats whats going on here. Jesus is the stone. But Religious leaders would reject him - soon nailing him to the Cross. But they will see how wrong they are. Because Jesus is not just any stone - the corner stone was the foundation of any building back then. Building wouldn’t stand without it. He is central to the world - and he rules it all. Life cannot function correctly without him.

But how can this happen if the Son is murdered? - By him coming to life again. He showed he really is in charge. And he will judge those who rejected him - and still reject him.

Whats is got to do with us?

Bible says we have done the same thing. God made this world and everything in it. He has given it to us to enjoy - lives to be lived, but made to live with him in charge. But we are like the wicked farmers - who reject God’s rule. Denying Jesus rule in our lives is a rejection of the God who made us. But Jesus gives us this warning so that we can change too. In fact very reason he went to the Cross was to be punished for our rejection and make it possible for us to be forgiven and live a new life with him in charge.

You’ve seen the evidence. Jesus showed he has God’s power - he calmed storms, healed sick, raised the dead. He tells us he is God’s Son, and King - and that he came to rescue. What will you do with the evidence. Jesus calls us to make him King of our lives, but asking forgiveness and listening to how he wants us to live. He promised to help anyone who asks him, and promised forever life. Having seen the evidence - maybe you are ready to accept that he is King. If thats you, then as I pray in a moment, why don’t you say this prayer to God for yourself in your head. And tell one of the leaders after, we would love to know, so we can help you think about it more. (even if you have said something like it before)