Waters of Life

Biblical Studies in Multiple Languages

Search in "English":
Home -- English -- Mark - 068 (Parable of the Unfaithful Vinedressers)
This page in: -- Arabic -- ENGLISH -- Indonesian -- Tamil -- Turkish

Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson

Mark - Who is Christ?
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to MARK
PART 6 Jesus' Entry Into Jerusalem and His Last Works (Mark 10:46 - 12:44)

6. The Parable of the Unfaithful Vinedressers (Mark 12:1-12)


MARK 12:1-12
1 He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the winepress, 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, the same was made the head of the corner. 11 This was from the Lord, it is marvelous in our eyes’?” 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.

God planted the people of the old covenant as a fruitful vineyard. He put the fence of his law around them, put the order of sacrifices as a wine press in them, built the prophets as watchtowers in the midst of the nation, and gave authority to the religious and secular leaders with power and responsibility.

God sent his prophets, his faithful servants, to gather for their Lord the good fruits of repentance, truth, and love. But they found nothing except self-righteousness, scandals, arrogance, and darkness in this disobedient, stubborn nation, which persecuted, beat and mocked God’s messengers and killed some of them.

How great is God’s patience! He did not destroy this nation in spite of its hardheartedness, but continued to send his godly servants. It is impossible to find a human being who treats his servants with such patience and divine endurance. God is patient and merciful. His plan is to gain men’s obedience through love, without resorting to violence.

From eternity, God had a unique Son whom he loved, for he was the express image of his person, and was born of the Spirit of LOVE. He made all creation. He is the Lord of the present and the future. His glory and holiness make angels worship to him, and the devils tremble at the mention of his name. However, the people of the old covenant did not fear him, but despised him, and the people of our generation neglect him, and cast his name aside. There are no sadder words in the world than to say that men prepared to kill their Lord, and to destroy the Son of God their Creator. The meaning of this truth is that God, in his everlasting love for us, reached the end of his patience with us, because of our hard hearts, and sacrifices his dearest one to redeem us, hoping that we will turn to him repentantly, and changed by his kindness.

Yet people hated and disobeyed their Creator, and plotted to destroy and kill his Son. They did not recognize God’s devine nature. Christ’s death means great failure to those of the old covenant, also to the Gentiles. It also shows the highest point of the faithful love of God.

What is your position toward God’s patience and love? Do you present the fruits of your life to your Savior, with gratitude for his salvation, or are you still living for yourself, interested in your reputation, and sinning carelessly? God planted you in his vineyard in place of the nation of the old covenant, but as he condemned the Jews, so he will condemn you if you do not bear fruit, continue in his love, and live in the purity of his truth. The Holy One expects a good harvest from you. He expects first that you receive his Son with reverence and joy that he may give you the fruits of the Spirit in your life.

PRAYER: O holy God. Forgive my selfishness. I am ashamed and exceedingly sorrowful because of my superficiality and negligence towards your great truth. If I have been disobedient, and rebellious against your guidance, please do not reject me, but sanctify me, and change me that I may live for you and your Son at all times in the way of sacrifice. Thank you for your wonderful patience. Grant me wisdom and perseverance that I may present to you all the fruits of your good Spirit, and be prepared to receive your beloved One joyfully. Amen.

QUESTION:

  1. How did Jesus explain God’s love through this parable of the wicked vinedressers?

www.Waters-of-Life.net

Page last modified on August 18, 2021, at 04:58 AM | powered by PmWiki (pmwiki-2.3.3)