crumbs 128

 

Crumbs 128 Unworthy Tenants

Scripture Mark 12:1-12 WEB12 He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country. 2 When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty. 4 Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 Again he sent another; and they killed him; and many others, beating some, and killing some. 6 Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you even read this Scripture: “‘The stone which the builders rejected    was made the head of the corner.11 This was from the Lord.    It is marvelous in our eyes’?”Psalm 118:22-23 12 They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him, and went away.

Crumbs

We can learn much from the context of this parable, Jesus cursing the fig tree and being confronted by the religious authorities about authority. Parables are often best understood as illustrating a main point ( unless the Lord gives a detailed interpretation as in the “ Sower”). The main point of this parable is responding to the Word of God. At least five times God seeks His due.

There is something prophetic about this parable. The insults and pains that the son and servants receive in the parable were the same as Jesus was about to suffer

Another truth shines through this parable. The king could come upon those wicked servants any time But the King held. His hand He still does until this very day.

The quote from the Psalms is vital. The whole basis of our belief is Jesus Christ. Remove Him and the structure collapses like a pile of cans. He it is who shows us what God is like and what He requires of us.

Questions

1. What does this parable teach us about God what requires of us ?

2. What does this passage teach us about the place of Christ in the economy of God?..

3. What place should Jesus hold in our thinking?