Parable = a simple story using earthly imagery to teach spiritual truth. The story has a deeper meaning cast alongside.

Why parables? – many had become indifferent and even resistant to what Jesus was teaching. So, he began to teach in a way that was understandable to those truly seeking while being confounding, even offensive, to those who were indifferent and resistant.

Therefore, the challenge in parables is not understanding, it is humble surrender to the truth they teach.

Matthew 21:33–41 (ESV) (Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19)
33“Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

Matthew 21:42–46 (ESV) - Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” 45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

Acts 7:51 (ESV) - “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

Isaiah 8:14–15 (ESV) - And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”

Isaiah 28:16 (ESV) - therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

1. Is God the owner? He is the Creator of the universe and everything and everyone is subject to Him.

2. Do you accept or reject Jesus as God’s Son - the Savior of the world – your Savior?

What you believe about Jesus is the most important thing in your life.

3. Is Jesus a stone in the building of your life, or is He the cornerstone? Do you seek to align your whole life to him or are you just trying to make him fit somewhere in your life?

4. Are you ignoring the gracious, merciful and patient way of God in your life? What are the ways God is seeking to get your attention?

Discussion Questions
1. What is one thing you want to be sure and discuss from this passage?

2. How did the landowner prepare his vineyard? Why did he prepare so thoroughly?

3. Noting the landowner is God, what do we learn about God from this parable?

4. What shows that the tenants are stewards of the land, not owners? How does this inform our relationship with God?

5. Read Matthew 21:40-41. The listeners answered Jesus’ question clearly. Do you think their answer describes a right and just response of the owner? Why or why not?

6. Read Psalm 118:22-23. What truth is Jesus declaring about himself and why is it important?

7. Is Jesus a stone in the building of your life, or is He the cornerstone? Do you seek to align your whole life to him or are you just trying to make him fit somewhere in your life?

8. Are you ignoring the gracious, merciful and patient way of God in your life? What are the ways God might be seeking to get your attention?