Often, when the Lord Jesus spoke in parables, people did not understand what was said, but in this chapter, they knew that the parable applied to them. Did not the owner of the vineyard have a right to receive the fruit of the vineyard? Why did the husbandmen treat his servants so badly? And above all, how wicked they were to kill his only well-beloved son!
When men heard the Lord’s words, they either confessed their sinfulness or hardened their hearts. The Pharisees and Herodians wanted to catch Him in His words. With them, there was no sign of repentance. Do you think anyone can trick the Lord? He knew their thoughts and motives, and He knows ours too! They were Israel’s leaders and were about to reject the stone whom God means to exalt to be the head of the corner.
A Christian is to be subject to the authorities of the land and render (pay) his share of taxes, or tribute, because the authorities maintain peace in the land and punish those that do evil. We are even told to pray for them “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Timothy 2:2).
Death does not end it all. There is a resurrection. Jesus said that all “shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:2929And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:29)). We do good by receiving the Lord Jesus into our hearts as our Savior.
The scribe who came next knew the law very well. But he did not know the grace that was in Jesus Christ. He was not far from the kingdom of God.
Not too many people would say that two mites are a lot of money. But that is all that this poor widow had! Why didn’t she cast one mite into the treasury and keep the other one for herself? Because she loved the Lord so much that, out of her want, she gave Him all that she had. Do we love the Lord that much?
1. After having sent many servants, whom did the lord of the vineyard send to receive the fruit of the vineyard? __________ Mark 12:___
2. What happened to the stone (the Lord Jesus Christ) which the builders rejected? __________ Mark 12:___
3. When the Pharisees and the Herodians asked the Lord if it was lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, to whom, beside Cæsar, did He say they should render something? __________ Mark 12:___
4. When Jesus answered the Sadducees about the resurrection, He said they erred in not knowing two things. What were they? __________ Mark 12:___
5. In contrast to the rich who gave out of their abundance, Jesus said the poor widow gave more because she gave “__________ her living.” Mark 12:___