Jesus comes as the anticipated Son of God. This causes quite a stir, but why is it important? We will explore two passages to get our minds around this: Luke 20:1-8 (the authority of Jesus questioned) and Luke 20:9-19 (parable of the tenants).
SERMON OUTLINE
Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What should I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.” (Luke 20:13)
The Sent Son and the Rejection of Authority (Luke 20:1-8)
- The origin of John’s Baptism
- The evasion of answering
The Sent Son and the Rejection of the Vineyard Owner (Luke 20:9-13; Isaiah 5:1-7)
- A story about a story (Isaiah 5:1-7)
- The owner, the farmers and the servants
- The beloved son
The Sent Son and the Rejection of Inheritance (Luke 20:14-16)
- The hunger for inheritance
- The murder of the beloved son
The Sent Son and the Rejection of God’s Kingdom (Luke 20:17-19; Psalm 118:20-26)
- A psalm for the King (Psalm 118:20-26)
- The Sent Son as the King and Cornerstone
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- We continue the series “Crossroads” this week by looking at two stories found in Luke 20:1-19. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you from His Word, and then read that passage aloud.
- In Luke 20:1-8, Jesus counters a question about His authority by the religious leaders with a question of His own. What do you think is the point of Jesus’ question?
- The religious leaders choose not to answer Jesus’ question. What does this tell us about them and what they are really about?
- In the second segment, Luke 20:9-19, Jesus tells a parable. While most parables don’t function as allegories, this one seems to do so. It appears as an allegorical retelling of salvation history. Take some time to identify who the characters of the parable correspond to in salvation history: the owner of the vineyard (vs 9), the tenant farmers (vss 9-10), the servants (vss 10-12), the son (vs 13-15a), and the others (vs 19).
- What about the owner’s decision to send his beloved son is perhaps the most surprising aspect of the parable. Why do you think he would send his son after the mistreatment of the servants?
- Why do you think the reaction of the people is so strong in verse 16?
- Jesus references both Psalm 118 and Daniel 2:44-45 in his response. What does this mean for the religious leaders and the Jewish people?
- The religious leaders understand what is happening in this parable, so they spring into action (vs 19). How does this confirm the parable?
- Identify one way that God is speaking to you personally through this study. If you’re on your own, write it down and share it with someone later. If you are with a small group, share it with one another to end your group time.