Mark 12:1-12 And he began to speak to them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and dig a place for the winefat… I. THE OWNER'S CLAIM. His right and authority are complete. God presses His right to our love and service. Blessings are privileges, and privileges are obligations. We owe Him more than Israel owed. The human will has a natural repugnance to submission to absolute authority. But God never presents His claim as grounded on this alone. He tells of His love before He declares His laws. Only a bad heart can resent the authority or refuse the service. II. THE OWNER'S LOVING PATIENCE. There never was an earthly employer who showed such persistent kindness towards such persistent rebellion. This is a faint picture of God's forbearance towards Israel. Mercies, deliverances, revelations, gather around their history. III. THE REJECTION. Rejection of the prophets leads up to the rejection of Christ. Privilege and place do not lessen the danger. IV. THE JUDGMENT. It was just, necessary, complete, remediless. V. THE FINAL EXALTATION OF THE SON. The kingdom is not to perish, only the rebellious. (C. M. Southgate.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. |
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