Topics – Discipleship, Kingdom of God
By telling a parable Jesus prophesied that he would be rejected and killed. Nevertheless, he also claimed he would be the cornerstone for the coming Kingdom of God. This was shocking to his followers and enraged the religious leaders of the time.
Focus Scripture – Luke 20:9-18HIDESHOW
9 He went on to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. 10 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.
13 "Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.'
14 "But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. 'This is the heir,' they said. 'Let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
"What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others."
When the people heard this, they said, "God forbid!"
17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written:
" 'The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone' [a]?
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but anyone on whom it falls will be crushed."
13 "Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.'
14 "But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. 'This is the heir,' they said. 'Let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
"What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others."
When the people heard this, they said, "God forbid!"
17 Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written:
" 'The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone' [a]?
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but anyone on whom it falls will be crushed."
Extended SummaryHIDESHOW
Jesus told a parable about a landowner who rented his property to some farmers while he was away. The owner sent servants to collect what was owed to the owner but the farmers abused them and sent them away. Finally the owner sent his own son, but the farmers killed him. As Greg pointed out, the connection would have been clear to the audience, the landowner is God, the farmers are the people of Israel and the servants are the prophets that God sent to Israel. The son, of course, is Jesus.
The audience reacted strongly against the parable but Jesus asked them to consider Psalm 118:22 which says: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” And then Jesus said: “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”
Jesus was referring to the way that he would be rejected but nevertheless, he would be the cornerstone for the coming Kingdom of God. Greg challenged us to consider the question: What does it mean for us to make the stone that the builders rejected the foundation for our lives?
The audience reacted strongly against the parable but Jesus asked them to consider Psalm 118:22 which says: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” And then Jesus said: “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”
Jesus was referring to the way that he would be rejected but nevertheless, he would be the cornerstone for the coming Kingdom of God. Greg challenged us to consider the question: What does it mean for us to make the stone that the builders rejected the foundation for our lives?
Practical Applications (homework)HIDESHOW
Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders in his day, but ultimately became the foundation for God’s new plan to reconcile with all of humanity. Greg ended the sermon by talking about three ways we’re all called to make Jesus the cornerstone of our lives. Choose one or more of these ideas as your homework this week. Ideally, do the exercises with someone you’re close to.
- Recognize that Jesus reflects everything you need to know about God. Do you have a picture of God that lines up with the love of Jesus dying on the cross for you? If not, decide to pray for 5 minutes every day this week, and let God remind you of his intense, unfailing love for you.
- Recognize that Jesus reflects everything you need to know about yourself. Have you received the forgiveness God offers through the death of his Son? If not, decide to pray for 5 minutes every day this week, and confess ways that you’re not living as he wants you to. Ask God to forgive you.
- Commit to live your life under the reign of God. The things that we do for the Kingdom are the only things that last forever! What small step can you take toward living and loving like Jesus? How can you treat your enemies better? How can you care more for the poor and oppressed? How can you be more loving toward your family? Your coworkers? Pray for 5 minutes every day this week and ask God for one small thing he wants you to do each day to build his Kingdom.
Reflection QuestionsHIDESHOW
- What stood out to you most from this message and the supporting texts?
- What are some of the foundations—other than Jesus—that we tend to build our lives on? Greg listed some, but there are surely others. Brainstorm a list.
- What does it mean to have Jesus as your foundation/cornerstone rather than these things we just listed? What difference does it make? Answer this in terms of how things change over time.
- Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life? What other things might be competing for that role?