The Life of Jesus (25)
A study of the week
that changed history
The Week
that changed
History
We have studied:
• His triumphant entry
• Cleansing the temple
• Cursing the fig tree
The Week
that changed
History
Today
Parables to a
doomed nation
Matt. 21:23-22:14
By What Authority?
• Matt. 21:23-27
Mk. 11:27-33, Lk. 20:1-8
• Jesus questioned about His
authority (to cleanse the
temple, etc.)
• He asks them a question
By What Authority?
• Matt. 21:23-27
• The leaders refuse to
answer
• Jesus does not answer their
question
By What Authority?
• Matt. 21:23-27
• The reason – they were not
honest! Seeking to entrap
Him!
• Jesus DID answer HIS
question in our parables
The Week
that
Changed
History
Parable of the Two Sons
• Matt. 21:28-32
• Two sons of a landowner
summoned to work in his
vineyard.
• The first refuses but regrets it
and goes
The second says he will go but
does not
Parable of the Two Sons
• Matt. 21:28-32
• Jesus asks, which one
obeyed the father.
• They answer the first son
Parable of the Two Sons
• Matt. 21:28-32
• Jesus responds that tax
collectors and harlots would
enter the kingdom of God
before them. Because they
believed John’s message (of
repentance). He came “in the
way of righteousness”
Parable of the Two Sons
• Matt. 21:28-32
• Lessons:
Two paths described –
obedience & rejection!
Parable of the Two Sons
• Matt. 21:28-32
• Lessons: No matter what
your past, you CAN be
forgiven! If you believe and
obey!
Parable of the Two Sons
• Matt. 21:28-32
• Lessons: It is how you
finish that counts. The first
son repented and DID what
he was supposed to do!
Parable of the Two Sons
• Matt. 21:28-32
• Lessons: God demands
obedience! We must do His
will – Matt. 7:21-23, 1 Jn.
5:3, cf. 1 Thess. 1:3 –
“work of faith, labor of love”
Parable of the Two Sons
• Matt. 21:28-32
• Lessons: God is NOT
impressed with selfrighteousness! It was this
attitude that cause them to
reject Jesus!
The Week
that
Changed
History
Parable of the Landowner
• Matt. 21:33-46
Mk 12:1-2, Lk 20:9-19
• A landowner builds a vineyard
and leases it to vinedressers.
• At harvest he sends servants
to collect his due
Parable of the Landowner
• Matt. 21:33-46
• The vinedressers abuse or
kill his servants.
• He then sends his son,
whom they also kill
Parable of the Landowner
• Matt. 21:33-46
• Jesus asks, “What will he do
to those vinedressers?”
• They respond that he would
destroy them and lend the
vineyard to others (worthy)
Parable of the Landowner
• Matt. 21:33-46
• Jesus responds by quoting, Psa.
118:22-23 which speaks of
their rejection.
• He then warns them they are
about to have the kingdom taken
from them and given to another
nation.
Parable of the Landowner
• Matt. 21:33-46
• They perceive He is talking
about them and sought to
destroy Jesus. But they
could not because of the
crowds.
Parable of the Landowner
• Matt. 21:33-46
• Lesson: The parable is symbolic
of the doom of the nation of
Israel because of their conduct in
killing prophets, etc. The
kingdom would be given to a
more worthy people – i.e.
Gentiles, the remnant.!
Parable of the Landowner
• Matt. 21:33-46
• Lesson: Let us learn from
this parable to prepare for
God’s judgment. We need
to be ready! Cf. Rom.
11:16-22
The Week
that
Changed
History
Parable of the Wedding
Banquet
• Matt. 22:1-14
• Similar parable – Lk. 14:15-24
• Jesus speaks of a king
giving a wedding feast for
his son.
Parable of the Wedding
Banquet
• Matt. 22:1-14
• The invited guests refused to
come (giving various excuses).
• As a result, servants are sent
into the highways and byways
to find guests who come and
enjoy the feast
Parable of the Wedding
Banquet
• Matt. 22:1-14
• However, there is one guest
who failed to prepare
• He was bound hand and
foot and cast out into outer
darkness…
Parable of the Wedding
Banquet
• Matt. 22:1-14
• The Lesson: Primarily to the
Jewish leaders who rejected
Jesus. Probably a reference
to what they would do after the
kingdom was established (cf.
Acts 2)
Parable of the Wedding
Banquet
• Matt. 22:1-14
• Reasons: Parable taught
after the others
(continuation)
• “Marriage” taking place and
others invited
Parable of the Wedding
Banquet
• Matt. 22:1-14
• Reasons: After kingdom
established, leaders continued
to persecute
• Vs. 7 – their city was destroyed
• As Jews rejected Him, He
turned to the Gentiles
Parable of the Wedding
Banquet
• Matt. 22:1-14
• Lesson: What about the man
without a wedding garment?
• He represents those who
come, but do not take the
kingdom seriously.
Could this be us?
Parable of the Wedding
Banquet
• Matt. 22:1-14
• Lesson: NOTE: That this
guest was “speechless” NO
excuse
• May we understand the
importance of continued
obedience with sincerity of
heart (cf. Lk. 8:15)
Many are called,
but few are
chosen!
Will you be part
of the chosen by
obeying His will?