Blinded to the Truth… vs. 23-27

• 1^st – Jesus Authority… vs. 23
  • Not Happy…
    • When He came to the temple the chief priests and elders confronted Him as He was teaching!
    • THREE days before the PASSOVER [and crucifixion]
    • Jesus returned to the TEMPLE – that He had cleansed just the day before – Matthew 21:12
    • And while He was teaching the people [present] – the PRIESTS and ELDERS came to Him!
    • Imagine you are running a business – making GOOD money…
    • And suddenly someone comes in and chases out all of your EMPLOYEES…
    • Then he starts letting people into your store that you had BANNED…
    • The first question you are going to ask them – who put you in charge!
  • Whose Authority…
    • [They] said: By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?
    • The leaders DEMANDED to know by what [whose] AUTHORITY Jesus did these THINGS…
    • THINGS [ταῦτα] – kicking out those who sold in the temple – but letting blind and lame in…
    • His AUTHORITY [ἐξουσία] – from the root of [ἐκ] from [εἰμί] I am – Exodus 3:4
    • There are over TEN thousand religions in the world today…
    • Because people do NOT like being told what to do – they like to do things THERE way!
    • But the truth is that we do NOT have the AUTHORITY [ἐξουσία]
    • We do NOT get to choose HOW to be saved – because ALL [πᾶς] authority was given to Jesus!
    • Matthew 28:18 – “All authority [ἐξουσία] has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
  • 2^nd – Baptism of John… vs. 24-26
    • One question… vs. 24-25
      • Jesus answered and said to them: I also will ask you one thing which if you tell Me.
      • I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things:
      • The baptism of John – where was it from? From heaven or from men?
      • Jesus conditioned His ANSWER – on the LEADERS answering ONE question…
      • The BAPTISM [βάπτισμα] of John – was it from HEAVEN [οὐρανός] or MEN [ἄνθρωπος]
      • Because these TWO choices were also the ONLY options for His AUTHORITY [ἐξουσία]!
      • The LEADERS had already asked John this same question – John 1:25
      • And John had told them EXACTLY why he BAPTIZED…
      • It was to encourage the people to REPENT – to prepare their hearts for the MESSIAH…
      • But the LEADERS missed this – because they did NOT think they needed to REPENT!
      • John 1:26 – “I baptize with water – but there stands One among you whom you do not know.”
    • From Heaven… vs. 25
      • The [leaders] reasoned among themselves saying: If we say From heaven.
      • He will say to us: Why then did you not believe him?
      • The LEADERS gathered together to [imperfect] DISCUSS [διαλογίζομαι] their RESPONSE…
      • There were only TWO possible answers – if they said from HEAVEN [οὐρανός]
      • Then they REASONED Jesus would ask them why they did NOT believe [πιστεύω] him!
    • From Men… vs. 26
      • If we say: From men. we fear the multitude for all count John as a prophet!
      • But if they said from MEN [ἄνθρωπος] – they FEARED [φοβέω] the people…
      • Because EVERYONE [πᾶς] held that John was a PROPHET!
      • Sad that in their DISCUSSION we see the HYPOCRISY in their heart…
      • They did NOT believe the BAPTISM of John was from HEAVEN [did not get baptized]
      • Because they did NOT think they needed to REPENT – they believed they were GOOD…
      • But at the same time they were AFRAID to answer honestly…
      • Because they were more concerned about the opinions of men – then being HONEST!
      • The root of HYPOCRISY – comes from knowing the TRUTH but NOT wanting to admit it…
      • When know we are SINNERS – but want to act like we are PERFECT…
      • We are going to have FOOLISH conversations within ourselves…
      • As we try and figure out how to act like something [good] – we are NOT [we are sinners]!
  • 3^rd – Unable to See… vs. 27
    • Blinded…
      • They answered Jesus and said: We do not know!
      • Their ironic answer to Jesus – was they could NOT see [εἴδω]
      • Because their HYPOCRISY kept them from the TRUTH!
    • Jesus would not say…
      • [Jesus] said to them: Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things!
      • As a RESULT – neither would Jesus tell where His AUTHORITY [ἐξουσία] came from…
      • Not that He did NOT want to tell them – but since they were BLINDED by their HYPOCRISY…
      • Jesus was going to have to try to EXPLAIN it to them – using TWO parables…
      • Even though Jesus knew in THREE days these men would condemn Him to death…
      • He was still willing to try and REACH them – give them the TRUTH!
      • I love that Jesus does NOT give up on us – even when we are blinded by our HYPOCRISY…
      • He continues to try and find a way to show us – we just need to REPENT!

• 2^nd – Two Choices… vs. 28-32
  • 1^st – Two Sons … vs. 28-31
    • Thinking… vs. 28
      • What do you think?
      • Jesus wants these LEADERS to THINK [δοκέω]
        
      • I have LOST my glasses many times – looked everywhere for them…
      • Only to have someone point out – they are on my head!
      • Often all it takes for us to FIND what we are MISSING…
      • Is for someone to take the time and make us THINK – give us another perspective!
    • First Son… vs. 28-29
      • A man had two sons and He came to the first and said: Son go work today in My vineyard.
      • He answered and said: I will not! But afterward he regretted it and went!
      • A man who had TWO sons [because there are only TWO choices]
      • He commanded [imperative] the FIRST son to go work in His VINEYARD…
      • The son answered by saying he did NOT want [θέλω] to OBEY…
      • But AFTER – he REPENTED [μεταμέλομαι] and went and OBEYED his Father!
    • Second Son… vs. 30
      • Then [the Father] came to the second and said likewise. 
      • And he answered and said: I go sir! But he did not go!
      • The SECOND son answered by saying – yes LORD [κύριος]
      • But then he did NOT go and OBEY what they FATHER had commanded!
    • Will of the Father… vs. 31
      • Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to Him: The first!
      • Jesus asked the LEADERS – which of the TWO did the WILL [θέλω] of the FATHER…
      • This they could SEE – it was NOT the son who said yes LORD – it was the one who REPENTED!
      • It is EASY to raise our hand and say yes LORD…
      • But WORDS are NOT enough – we show who we are by our ACTIONS…
      • If we SAY we are Christians – but are still acting like the world around us where is Jesus…
      • Our lives after we BELIEVE in Jesus should be DIFFERENT – changed!
      • James 2:18 – “I will show you my faith by my works.”
  • 2^nd – No Repentance… vs. 31-32
    • Sinners first… vs. 31
      • Jesus said to them: 
      • Assuredly I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 
      • For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him.
      • But tax collectors and harlots believed him!
      • AMEN [ἀμήν] – that is why the worst SINNERS [tax collectors and harlots]
      • Will go [indicative] before the RELIGIOUS leaders into the Kingdom of God…
      • John came to show them the RIGHT [δικαιοσύνη] way – they did NOT believe [πιστεύω]
      • BUT [δέ] – the worst SINNERS [tax collectors and harlots] did BELIEVE [were baptized]
      • Like the FIRST son who was NOT doing the will of the FATHER – but then REPENTED!
    • No Faith… vs. 32
      • When you saw it – you did not afterward relent and believe him!
      • The LEADERS saw the SINNER [tax collectors and harlots] repenting…
      • They had the right WORDS [yes LORD] – but they did NOT repent [μεταμέλομαι]
      • And as a RESULT they did NOT believe [πιστεύω] the BAPTISM of John was from HEAVEN!
      • We might be SURPRISED by who gets into Heaven…
      • There are going to be some people there we were sure would NOT make it…
      • And there might NOT be some people there who we assumed would…
      • Because it is NOT about our WORDS – it is about our FAITH…
      • Only those who SEE they are SINNERS – and chose to REPENT – can be SAVED!
        

• 3^rd – Rejecting the Truth… vs. 33-46
  • 1^st – The Vineyard … vs. 33
    • Nation of Israel…
      • Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard.
      • [He] set a hedge around it dug a winepress in it and built a tower!
      • Jesus told them to LISTEN [imperative] to SECOND parable – also dealing with a VINEYARD…
      • The owner put a LOT of work into His VINEYARD…
      • He put up a FENCE – He dug a WINEPRESS – and built a TOWER…
      • All to emphasize that He had invested a LOT into the land – it was IMPORTANT to Him!
      • This was NOT new imagery – God had used it BEFORE…
      • Isaiah told the leaders of Judah the same thing – the VINEYARD was Israel!
      • Isaiah 5:7 – “The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel!”
    • The helpers…
      • And He leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country!
      • The MASTER did NOT stay to work in the VINEYARD…
      • He gave it [ἐκδίδωμι] to some HELPERS [γεωργός] to care for it…
      • Then He left His people [ἀποδημέω] to go a faraway place – for a LONG time – Luke 20:9
      • The MASTER expected the HELPERS [religious LEADERS] to care for His VINEYARD [Israel]!
  • 2^nd – The Harvest… vs. 34-41
    • The Prophets… vs. 34-36
      • When [harvest] drew near He sent his servants to the vinedressers so might receive its fruit.
      • And the vinedressers took his servants – beat one – killed one – and stoned another.
      • Again he sent other servants – more than the first – and they did likewise to them!
      • The MASTER sent His SERVANTS [δοῦλος] to gather the FRUIT at harvest time…
      • But those HELPERS – BEAT one servant – threw STONES at another – and even KILLED one…
      • AGAIN the MASTER sent [ἀποστέλλω] more SERVANTS – and they did the same to them!
      • The SERVANTS who were sent were the PROPHETS of the Old Testament…
      • They were SENT by God to encourage Israel to TURN back to God – bear FRUIT for God…
      • Including John the Baptist – who came to prepare the way for Jesus!
      • Acts 7:52 – “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute!”
    • The Son… vs. 37-39
      • Then last of all he sent His Son to them saying: They will respect my son.
      • But when the vinedressers saw the son they said among themselves:
      • This is the heir. Come – let us kill him and seize his inheritance.
      • So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him!
      • FINALLY He sent His SON – saying the HELPERS will REPENT [ἐντρέπω] because of Him…
      • BUT [δέ] instead they said – we NEED [imperative] to KILL Him…
      • Because then we might [subjunctive] be able to take His INHERITANCE [Israel]
      • So they took the SON – cast Him out – and KILLED Him [prophetic]!
      • The SON is Jesus Christ – the HEIR to the Kingdom of God…
      • The religious LEADERS never wanted to SERVE God or His people…
      • And Jesus was a threat to their control over the people – their ability to make money!
    • Wicked men… vs. 40-41
      • Therefore – when the owner of the vineyard comes what will he do to those vinedressers?
      • They said to Him: He will destroy those wicked men miserably.
      • Lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons!
      • Jesus asked the LEADERS – what would the MASTER [κύριος] do to these men…
      • AGAIN they could SEE – the MASTER would DESTROY [ἀπόλλυμι] the wicked [κακός]
      • And give His VINEYARD to OTHERS [ἄλλος] – who would give the fruit in the seasons [καιρός]!
      • There is a COMMON teaching in the church that God REPLACED Israel…
      • But God did NOT say He changed His VINEYARD [Israel]
      • Just that He would raise up OTHERS [same kind] to watch over His VINEYARD!
      • Paul uses himself as an example that God has NOT rejected Israel – Romans 11:1
      • All of the Apostles [ἄλλος] and everyone in the FRIST church were Jews [until Acts 10]
      • They are the proof that God has NOT rejected Israel – Jews were and are still being saved…
      • And as long as the sun rises – waves crash on the seashore – Israel is His nation!
      • Jeremiah 31:36 – “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to do away with the laws of nature!” [NLT]
  • 3^rd – The Cornerstone… vs. 42
    • Rejected… vs. 42
      • Jesus said to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures:
      • The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
      • Jesus told them – they have NEVER understood [ἀναγινώσκω] what the Bible said…
      • The STONE the builder REJECTED – has become the CORNERSTONE – Psalm 118:22
      • According to tradition – when Solomon built the first Temple…
      • The first stone sent to the building site was the chief CORNERSTONE…
      • When the workers received the STONE they were not ready – so they set it aside and forgot…
      • The stone the builders rejected – became the chief CORNERSTONE!
      • This is the MOST quoted verses from the OLD Testament [six times]
      • Jesus is the stone that the builders REFUSED – Matthew 21:42 – Acts 4:11 – I Peter 2:7
      • There is a principal of Bible interpretation – important TRUTHS…
      • If Jesus said [Gospels] – the Disciples taught it [Acts] – and the Epistles explain it [I Peter]
      • Then what is being stated is a VERY important TRUTH in the Bible!
    • Marvelous… vs. 42
      • This was the LORDs doing and it is marvelous in our eyes!
      • The REJECTION of Jesus was not the idea of MEN – it was the PLAN of God from the beginning!
      • When Jesus was crucified – the plan was still a MYSTERY – I Corinthians 2:7-8
      • But it did not stay a MYSTERY – THREE days later He rose from the grave…
      • And everyone MARVELED – because they saw the PLAN…
      • God came down to DIE – and pay our DEBT – so we could LIVE!
    • This is the Day…
      • Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!”
      • This is a very famous verse – often sung – often quoted…
      • But it is not referring to TODAY – it is talking about THE day [הַיּוֹם]
      • The DAY Jesus came and died – to take away the SIN of the world…
      • The DAY that all of our HOPE rests on – the DAY when the DOOR to heaven opened…
      • Therefore – we will REALLY [cohortative] rejoice and be glad because of it!
  • 4^th – The Choice… vs. 43-46
    • Fall on Jesus… vs. 43-44
      • Therefore I say to you the kingdom of God will be taken from you.
      • And given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. Whoever falls on this stone will be broken.
      • But on whomever it falls it will grind him to powder!
      • Because the LEADERS had rejected Jesus – they would be REPLACED…
      • And it would be given to people [ἔθνος] who would bear FRUIT…
      • The CHOICE was simple – what did the LEADERS want…
      • They could be like the FIRST son – REPENT and FALL on the STONE [Jesus]
      • If they CHOSE to be BROKEN [passive] – then Jesus would HEAL them…
      • Or they could be the SECOND son – and the STONE would fall and CRUSH [active] them…
      • They would be JUDGED and cast out of the presence of God – Revelation 20:12
      • There are NO limits to what God will allow to get our attention…
      • The question is are we willing to fall on Him – admit our need – and be BROKEN…
      • Or do we insist on going our own way – He falls on us – and we are CRUSHED…
      • It is better for them to be BROKEN here – then CRUSHED in heaven!
    • Closer to the cross… vs. 45-46
      • Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables.
      • They perceived that He was speaking of them.
      • But when they sought to lay hands on Him they feared the multitudes.
      • Because they took Him for a prophet!
      • The LEADERS [priests and Pharisees] – KNEW [γινώσκω] Jesus was talking about them…
      • They were HESITANT to arrest Him because they FEARED [φοβέω] the people…
      • But that FEAR would not last – long the CROSS was only THREE days away!