APRIL 20, 2008

Intro: Ch.20:9-19- parable of wick-vinedressers—exposes

the intent & motive of leaders of Israel.

I. Identification of the elements of the parable.

1. Vineyard =Israel -Isa.5:1-7

2. Vinedressers = leadership of Israel thru the years-

  Mt.23:34-36      3. Servants= OT prophets

4. Son = Christ        5. Destruction= Jerusalem in 70 AD

6. Others= another generation of leaders of Israel

7. Stone= Christ rejected, head of church

II. Lessons we might learn from this incident.

1. Consistently, God always shows mercy before judgment.

*Moses before Pharoah    *Jonah and Ninivites  

Jere.3:12-15

2.Divine blessing and privilege is to be appreciated, not

  abused.    Gentiles are objects of mercy due to Israel’s fall-

Rom.9:30-32, 10:21, 11:11-15,19-21

   Neglect – see Rev.3:15-17

3.The action by Israel to destroy Jesus was clearly foreseen

and prophesied in OT scripture- see Isa.53:2-4

“stone..rejected” –John 1:11, Lk.9:22

4. This rejection of Christ by Israel did not thwart God’s

purposes.    Parable deals with “delay”, but not future plans.

Blessing on Israel follows “crisis”- Isa.66:6-9; Jere.30:5-11;

Amos 9:8-15; Micah 5:2-4

5. Christ Himself is the Stone that is the “issue” of life.

“whoever falls..broken”- language of humility/submission

“whomever it falls..powder”- language of judgment