Mark 12:1-12 And he began to speak to them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and dig a place for the winefat… The coming of the Son of God in human form, as Emmanuel, is love's great plea for reconciliation. Who can resist so powerful an argument? I. THE AMAZING MISSION. 1. He comes after many rejections of Divine love. None have been left without admonitions and expostulations from God. From childhood upwards He has called us by most earnest entreaties of faithful men and affectionate women; and, in spite of our obstinate resistance, He still sends to us His Son to plead with us and urge us to go to our Father. 2. He comes for no personal ends. It is for our own sake that He strives with us. Nothing but tender regard for our well-being makes Him warn us. 3. See who this Messenger is. (1) He is One greatly beloved of His Father. (2) In Himself He is of surpassing excellence. (3) His graciousness is as conspicuous as His glory. (4) His manner is most winning. (5) He is God's ultimatum.Nothing remains when Christ is refused. Heaven contains no further Messenger. Rejecting Christ you reject all, and shut against yourself the only possible door of hope. II. THE ASTOUNDING CRIME. There are many ways of killing the Son of God. 1. Denying His deity. 2. Denying His atonement. 3. Remaining indifferent to His claims. 4. Refusing to obey His gospel.Thus you may virtually put Him away, and so be guilty of His blood, and crucify Him afresh. III. THE APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT. Our Lord leaves our own consciences to depict the overwhelming misery of those who carry their rebellion to its full length. He leaves our imagination to prescribe a doom sufficient for a crime so base, so daring, so cruel. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. |
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