Christ Acclaimed and Rejected

MEMORY VERSE: “The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner.” —Matthew 21:42

MATTHEW 21:9-11, 33-45

IT WAS only a few days before he was crucified that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on an ass, “and the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; … and when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”

The religious leaders of Israel were not pleased with this honor the people bestowed upon Jesus, and they continued to oppose him. Jesus knew what was in their hearts; that their hatred of him was so great that when an opportunity came they would put him to death. It was with this thought in mind that he gave the Parable of the Householder who planted a vineyard.

In the parable the householder obviously is God, and Israel his vineyard. In due course the householder sent his servants to the husbandmen of the vineyard to collect the fruit, but the husbandmen killed these servants. Then the householder sent his son—clearly a reference to Jesus—and the husbandmen killed him also. Thus does the parable outline the attitude of Israel toward God’s servants the prophets, as well as toward the beloved Son of God.

This attitude of Israel, particularly of her religious leaders, is summed up by Jesus just a little later—possibly the same day. He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate, for I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”—Matt. 23:37-39

This desolation of Jerusalem, or Israel, should not be understood to mean a permanent loss of God’s blessings. The reference, rather, is to Israel’s opportunity of being a ruling nation over the nations, a hope which had been engendered by the promises of God. This point is made more clear in the parable in which Jesus said, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”—vs. 43

This new nation to which the authority of the kingdom is given is made up of Jesus and his glorified church. According to the parable, the people stumbled over Jesus and refused to accept him.

This new “nation” to which the kingdom is given will be made up of believers from both Jews and Gentiles. John the Baptist wrote concerning Jesus that he came unto his own—the people of Israel—but his own received him not—at least, only a very few did. But to as many as did receive him he gave authority, or power, to become sons of God.—John 1:11,12

There were not enough of these believing Jews to make up the designed number, so the Lord turned to the Gentiles for the remainder. (Acts 15:14) But the total number in this “nation” of rulers will be comparatively small. It was to these that Jesus said, “Tear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”—Luke 12:32

The statement in the King James Version of the Bible, “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder,” is of doubtful authenticity. It does not appear in the Revised Standard Version, the New English Bible, or in Phillip’s translation.

As we have noted, the loss of the “kingdom” by Israel does not imply a permanent loss of God’s blessing. Indeed, the very ones who persecuted Jesus at his first advent will, when raised from the dead, hail him, saying, “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Matt. 23:39) It will be then that “all Israel shall be saved.”—Rom. 11:26

QUESTIONS

Relate the experience of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Who are the “servants” and the “son” in the Parable of the Householder?

Identify the new nation to which the kingdom was given when it was taken from Israel.

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