JESUS' TEACHING - PARABLES

                                  

                                                        18. THE TENANTS

                              Matthew 21:33-44; Mark 12:1-11; Luke 20:9-18

Jesus describes HIS KINGDOM as being like A VINEYARD. This time we see GOD'S LOVE, but we also see HIS JUDGEMENTS - for there are those who reject Him and are evil.

"A certain LANDOWMER planted a VINEYARD, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grapejuice and built a look out TOWER. At the time of the GRAPE HARVEST , he sent his servants to the tennant farmers to whom he had leased the VINEARD." Matthew 21:33&34 (NCV)

The tennants killed the servants - "BEAT ONE, KILLED ANOTHER and STONED THE THIRD". Their final act of rebellion was "KILLING THE LANDOWNERS SON". The Landowner had sent Him, thinking the tennants would respect his son, but instead they wanted to kill him so they could "claim his inheritance".

Jesus was telling the disciples about His death. He tells the Temple Leaders and John's disciples that he was the Son of God, and they thought that maybe they would respect Him; but this was not going to be the case. 

"Didn't you read the Scriptures?" "The stone that the builders rejected has become the CORNERSTONE. This is the Lord's doing and it is beautiful to see."                                                                                                                   Mark 12:10&11 (NIV)

"Jesus asked his listeners: "What do you think the owner of the VINEYARD will do when he discovers his tenant farmers killed his son?" "I'll tell you, he'll come and kill the farmers and lease the VINEYARD to others." Luke 20:15&16 (NIV)

In this Parable Jesus reminds us that like Him, we, as His followers, will be  persecuted and undergo trials. His disciples may be led to the CROSS, yet, his RESURRECTION would finally lead us to VICTORY.

"But thanks be to God, who  gives us the VICTORY through our LORD JESUS CHRIST."                                                                                              1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV)

"Father, help us to FOLLOW JESUS' EXAMPLE, to STAY CLOSE TO HIM, to LISTEN TO HIS VOICE, READ HIS WORD, and SEEK HIS SPIRIT" Nicky Gumbel

                                                THE WEDDING FEAST

                                       Matthew 22:1-14,  Luke 14:16-24

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come." Matthew 22:2&3 (NKJV)

These people did not come to the wedding because they did not want to have a relationship with the son (Jesus). They didn't want to come on God's terms - for a special occasion - "a wedding", and they would not enter into Jesus' Kingdom. 

"In order to "eat  bread in God's Kingdom" to say "YES" when given an invitation, to His banquet (the wedding). You will have no second chance if you exclude yourself."                                                                                              Pat & David Anderson

The king was upset with those who didn't want to come to his wedding.  It was a huge priviledge to be invited, and to have a relationship with Him. But those who were invited mad excuses.  So, he told his servants:

"The Wedding Feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren't worthy of the honour. Now go out to the STREET CORNERS and INVITE EVERYONE YOU SEE. " So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with GUESSTS." Matthew 22:8-10 (NLT)

When the king came in to see the guests, he saw one man who was not wearing "wedding clothes". He asked the man why he wasn't "dressed appropriately", and he didn't know what to say. The king had him bound, had thrown outside in the dark, where "there was weeping and gnashing of teeth,"

"Yes, MANY ARE UNVITED, but ONLY A FEW ARE CHOSEN." Matthew 22:14 (NCV)

"We can only get into God's KINGDOM if we have the GARMENT of SALVATION which is the FREE GIFT from JESUS. Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees for rejecting Him as Messiah.  We have been given the urgent task as SERVANTS to go and bring people into HIS HOUSE AS GUESTS.We are called  to announce the GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST - TO COMPEL!" Jordon Scott. 

"Lord, thank you for your LOVE; that you have INVITED US TO YOUR BANQUET! I ACCEPT YOUR INVITATION, and COME TO ENJOY an intimite relationdship with YOU!" Nicky Gumbel

 "THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW CENTURY VERSION." - (2005), Thomas Nelson

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW KING JAMES VERSION" - (1982) Thomas Nelson

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION" - (2011), Biblica

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING  TRANSLATION" - (2015) Tyndale House Publishing

"Jesus' Parable of the Tenants  - The Chosen - Season 5: Episode 3" (2025), You Tube

"The Parable of the Wedding Feast" - (2018) Jordon Scott , The Emmaus Table/You Tube.

ALEXANDER, David & Pat, "The Lion Handbook of the Bible - Updated 4th Edition", LionHudson Publishers

GUMBEL Nicky & Pippa, "The Bible in One Year", (2009/2025) Alpha International/          You Version