Primary Text: Matthew 21:28-22:14; Luke 20:1-8; John 12:27-50
Memory Verse: Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:44-46
Introduction:
The love, grace, and mercy of Almighty God are made the more wondrous against the ugly backdrop of the fickle, desperately wicked human heart. It would have made the most sense that of all the peoples on the Earth, Israel would have been the ones to embrace God’s plan of salvation. But even the Israelite prophets had prophesied that this would not be so. The very nation that had been chosen through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the portion of that nation through whom the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ would descend, the tribe of Judah (Jews), would be the people who would utterly reject the Messiah. This rejection wouldn’t be committed just once, but in a three-fold manner:
First, Israel rejected and abused the holy prophets that God had sent to reveal to them the way of salvation and call them back to God in repentance. The epitome of these servants (the prophets) that God sent to them was John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. He preached the Kingdom of God, calling Israel to repent of their sins and be baptized. When the religious leaders rejected him, it was a rejection of the Father, the one who had given John his mission and authority.
Secondly, Israel rejected the Son of God. Jesus came to the lost house of Israel, wooing them back to God. There were many that received Him, but the majority of the Jews, especially the “religious crowd,” hated Him. Ultimately, they had Jesus crucified, with the thought of obliterating His ministry. Their malevolent reaction to the Messiah is what God used to extend salvation through faith in Christ to the entire world.
Lastly, Israel rejected the ministry of Christ through the early believers. This was a direct rejection of the Holy Spirit, the powerful Comforter that was the divine anointing that empowers the Church of God. Amazingly, despite this three-fold rejection, God is still reaching out to Israel, desiring to draw them back.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- What inner struggle did Jesus express concerning His impending crucifixion? John 12:25
- Discuss the significance of what God said audibly from heaven the third time in Jesus’ ministry, and the specific reason that God had spoken. John 12:28-30
- In what manner did Jesus press the people listening to Him that they must believe in Him before it was too late? What dynamic picture of light and darkness did He use? John 12:31-41
- What did Jesus say about those who would not receive Him? John 12:42-49
- Identify the inspiration for every word spoken by Jesus. John 12:50
- How did Jesus foil the Jewish leaders’ attempt to discredit His ministry? What specifically was the trap Jesus laid for them? Matthew 21:23-27; Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8
- Explain the meaning of Jesus’ parable about the two Sons. Matthew 21:28-32
- Explain the parable of the wicked vinedressers. Matthew 21:33-41; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19
- As God’s “Chief Cornerstone,” how is Jesus the ultimate downfall and salvation of mankind? Matthew 21:42-45; Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:14-25
- Describe the essential elements and the primary application of the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14.