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The Wicked Husbandmen
Matthew 21:33-41
Even wives and ladies can be 'husbandmen'
[vinedressers] in the field in which we are planted. But what do we think of
the 'boss' and how do we treat His Son?
1. The vineyard immediately brings to mind
Israel - cf. Isa 5:1-7
2. The landowner who planted the vineyard is
God
3. The wicked vinedressers [husbandmen]
represent Israel's leaders - cf. Mt 21:45
4. The servants who were sent in behalf of
the landowner represent the prophets
a. As a nation, Israel rejected
many of her prophets
- cf. 2 Chr. 36:15-16
b. Note the cry of Jesus over
Jerusalem later on - Mt 23:37
5. The landowner's son is Jesus Christ
Himself
I. Labor Expended. The
householder himself had all the expense of the “planting, ” “hedging, ”
“digging,” and “building” (v 33). Think of what God had done for Israel as a
nation. He dug them out of Egypt, planted them in a good land, and hedged
them about with promises and privileges, yet it proved an empty vine. God,
as the Householder, wrought all this work-there were none to help Him. Think
of the labor expended by our Lord Jesus Christ, that we might bring forth
fruit to the praise of His Name. Oh, what praying, suffering, groaning,
sweating, dying, He gave Himself.
II. Privilege Enjoyed. “He let it
out to husbandmen, and went into a far country” (v. 33). These husbandmen
did not purchase the vineyard; through the grace of God it was lent out to
them. Israel was honored, as being the tenant of divine wisdom and
knowledge, but because of unfaithfulness they have been expelled. This
privilege now belongs to all who are in Christ Jesus. While the Master is in
the far country these priceless blessings are let out to us by the grace of
God. We have not bought them ; we do not deserve them ; they
are the gifts of God-the tokens of His infinite love.
III. Fruit Expected. “He sent his
servants, that they might receive the fruits” (v. 34). Although the Master
is in the far country (Heaven) He is still mindful of His vineyard. In
asking the fruits He is only asking for what was His own. The vineyard is
His. “Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify
God in your body and your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). The
much labor of Christ for us should produce much fruit through
us.
IV. Selfishness Exhibited. “The
husbandmen took his servants, and beat, and killed, and stoned them” (v.35).
There is here no sign of gratitude for the great privileges bestowed upon
them; no concern about the Master’s interests.
The grace of God has been in vain to them. It
is sad to find this same selfish spirit among those who profess to be the
servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are ready to take every earthly
blessing and advantage God may give them, but they will yield Him nothing.
They will even wear the Name of Christ for their own personal interests.
V. Forbearance Manifested. “He
sent other servants…and last of all He sent His Son” (vv.36-37). What
longsuffering, what patience with insult and cruelty, what willingness to
forgive, what reluctance to punish! What a hideous contrast between the
selfish greed of man and the loving kindness of God! “They will reverence My
Son.” The appearance of His Son brought out the awful rebellion of the human
heart against God. This is GRACE: Giving His best gift to the least
deserving.
VI. Rebellion Declared. “When they
saw the Son they said, This is the Heir; come, let us kill Him, and let us
seize on His inheritance” (v. 38). “We will not have this Man to reign to
reign over us.” “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). So
Jesus, as the Son of Sovereign Grace, is cast out, and the Father, as the
Householder, is blatantly defied. Yet the depth of the mystery is this, that
through the death of the Son we may indeed seize on His inheritance. “Heirs
of God.”
VII. Destruction Assured. “He will
miserably destroy those wicked men” (v .41). Privilege may exalt to the gate
of Heaven, but if neglected and abused will crush into the depths of hell.
The 1880 years of wanderings of the Jews on the face of the earth without a
king and without a country is a divine and solemn witness and warning that
God will judge sin. When the Lord Himself appears to reckon with the
husbandmen it will be a time of dreadful awakening to those who have been in
the vineyard only for their own selfish means. Carefully note that the
Householder asked for the fruits before He came. His coming was the
time of judgment for His servants. “We must all appear before the
judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in His
body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5.
10).
What about us today?
We have blessings given to us through Christ
1) The forgiveness of sins
through His blood
2) The aid of the Spirit in
putting to death the deeds of the body
3) The joy of fellowship in the
family of God
4) The privilege of sharing the
gospel with a dying world
And yet Christians often turn their back on
such blessings
1) They sin, and do not seek
forgiveness
2) They do not seek the help God
gives to deal with sin
3) They neglect their brethren
by forsaking the assembling
4) They make little or no effort
to spread the gospel of Christ
Truly we are privileged people…it is time to
be fruitful sons!
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