gmc4Jesus
Posts: 154
Joined: 5/21/2006
From: Torrance, California
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What’s Wrong With This World – 120
The world, for millenniums, has tried to solve its problems without God. Today, with the media to inform and influence us with what is happening, there is much attention being given to the belief that each person can decide for themselves what is right and wrong. This is called secular humanism, but it is no different than the sinful behavior that is as old as Cain thinking he could kill Abel and not be punished. What’s wrong with us when we think we don’t have to obey God?
In Matthew 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19 Jesus is in Jerusalem, teaching at the Temple. He continues His response to the chief priests and scribes who just challenged His authority. In this parable, Jesus presents a serious problem with the way the world treats God and His servants. It serves as a warning for us if we truly love God and others.
Disrespect – Matthew 21:33-35a; Mark 12:1-3; Luke 20:9-10
Jesus begins His parable by introducing a vineyard owner who entrusts his property to tenants who will grow the grapes, harvest the crop and pay an agreed upon rent to the landowner for the use of his land. When it comes time to pay, they show great disrespect to the owner by not paying and by mistreating the men that he sends to collect the rent.
No matter what we do in life, there are going to be people that we are going to have to answer to. If we have entered into an agreement, we have an obligation to fulfill that agreement even if it turns out to be to our detriment. Whether it is paying rent, doing a service or some other commitment, we are still obligated to do what we said we would do. In similar manner, a child must be taught to respect others, but an adult has to earn the respect of his peers. If we want people to respect us, we must first show them the kind of respect we desire by respecting them. If you disrespect others, don’t expect them to like you or show you the respect you think you want. It won’t happen.
Violence and Murder – Matthew 21:35b-36; Mark 12:4-5; Luke 20:11-12
Jesus continues His story. The tenants are so disrespectful of the vineyard owner and the servants that he sends to collect the money that they beat one and sent him back without paying their rent. Again and again, the owner sends other collectors. Some of them are beaten, but other collectors are murdered by the tenants.
Whether it is written in the law books or not, everyone knows that you can’t go around deliberately hurting or killing other people just because you don’t like them, something about them or something that they have done. We must learn to live with one another and get along. That requires respect. It also requires recognizing that causing physical harm or committing murder is wrong regardless of the reason. That does not rule out self-defense to protect you or your family from someone else who is trying to commit physical harm or murder against you. Killing is justified only if it is in self-defense.
Greed – Matthew 21:37-39; Mark 12:6-8; Luke 20:13-15a
Finally, the owner sends His own Son. He presumes that they will respect the Son because He is the direct Heir. Unfortunately, the tenants get greedy and reason that if they kill the son, they will inherit the property. They kill Him and through His body out of the vineyard just like they did the other messengers.
Lying, cheating, stealing, greed and covetousness all factor into what is wrong with these tenants. When a person thinks that he or she can decide whether or not they are going to abide by God (and man’s) laws, they then become a danger to others around them. We must have one moral code of ethics and all live by that code in order to survive. Otherwise, we have anarchy. We should never let the desire for more money to cause us to think we can violate the rights or others and not be punished for it. God’s way or no way!
Consequences – Matthew 21:40-46; Mark 12:9-12; Luke 20:15b-19
Jesus asks the audience what should be done about those disrespectful, murderous and greedy tenants. The people answer that they should be punished by death and the land rented out to tenants who will respect the owner, pay what is do and not try to lie, cheat or steal. Jesus goes on to warn them that they are rejecting the very cornerstone of God’s Kingdom. If they try to do anything to stop the cornerstone, they will reap fatal consequences. Since almost all of the Jewish religious leaders and many of the Jewish people have rejected Jesus, God will take His favor away from them and give it to people who will repent of their sins and acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The Chief Priests, Scribes and Pharisees know that Jesus is talking about them, so they plot even more about how they can kill Him (as though that will stop Him from His divine purpose).
Actions have consequences. Good actions reap good consequences like appreciation, respect, a raise in income, etc. Bad actions reap bad consequences like disrespect, prison or other punishment, even death. If we love God, we realize that He knows the best way for us to live. He knows how to keep us from following the ways of the world. He sent His Son, Jesus to pay for our sins so we could be free from sin and walk in a way worthy of Him. Which consequences do you want to reap at the end of your life?
God bless you and have a great week!
New Hope Gospel Ministries
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1-877-4-4-Jesus or 1-310-542-1711.
gmc@gettingtoknowjesus.org.
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< Message edited by Kath -- 4/23/2008 1:40:28 AM >
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