The Wicked Husbandmen

TEXT: Luke 20:9-19

Jesus’ parables were given to provide spiritual lessons. In this story the religious leaders of God’s chosen people are likened to wicked husbandmen of the vineyard which their lord had planted. Through the years God sent prophets to Israel instructing and admonishing them to be obedient and to do right, that they might be a fruit-bearing vineyard. But the leaders, on the whole, treated the prophets shamefully, wounding some and killing others. Finally God sent His only begotten Son, but they rejected Him also, causing Him to be crucified.

QUESTIONS

1. Against whom was Jesus directing this parable? Compare their reaction to the reaction of a sinner confronted with evidence of his wrongdoing.
2. What did Jesus mean in the parable when He said God would destroy those husbandmen and give the vineyard to others (Matthew 21:41,43)? What impact does this have on us?
3. In reference to the answer for question two, when did this happen? See Acts 10:34-35,44-45.
4. What is meant by the prophecy which Jesus quoted in our text, “The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner”? See Acts 4:10-11.
5. Jesus said, “Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder” (Matthew 21:44). How would you explain this?
6. Do you think the Gentiles as a whole are treating Jesus any better today than the Jews did? Give reasons for your answer.
7. Many who are rejecting Christ today, and giving Him little or no thought, seem to be prospering materially. After reading Ecclesiastes 8:11-13, what are your feelings as to the end result in the lives of those who are turning Christ’s love aside?
8. Some do not outwardly deny Christ or reject His deity, but continually neglect to do anything about their soul’s salvation. What danger is there in following such a pattern in one’s life? See 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 and Hebrews 2:3.
9. God’s Spirit departed from the Jews and turned to the Gentiles because the Jews rejected Christ. In these days, the Gentiles’ rejection of Christ will cause God to turn back to the Jews (Luke 21:24; Romans 11:19-22). What does this tell us concerning God’s time for us? See 2 Corinthians 6:2.