“The Stone the Builders Rejected” (Mark 12:1-12)
“THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED”
(Mark 12:1-12)
INTRODUCTION: In every way, Jesus reveals God’s mercy.
I. BEHOLD GOD’S KINDNESS.
II. BEWARE GOD’S PATIENCE.
III. BE HOPEFUL IN GOD’S GRACIOUSNESS.
IV. BE WARNED BY GOD’S SEVERITY.
V. BE RESPONSIVE TO GOD’S MERCY.
Questions for Family Review/Discussion:
- How would you define “mercy”? When did someone show mercy to you?
- What events alarmed the Jewish authorities and set them in opposition to Jesus?
- For what two distinct reasons did Jesus speak in parables?
- How was Jesus’ parable similar to the analogy in Isaiah 5:1-7? Different?
- What great benefits had God lavished on Israel? Name five (or more) benefits you have received from God’s hand.
- In what way does this parable reveal God’s great patience with Israel? Name some ways God has shown patience to you. What danger may arise when someone in authority shows patience with the erring?
- What was the main message of the Old Testament prophets God sent to Israel? How is this message reflected in the ministries of both John and Jesus?
- The “son” whom the landowner sent represented Jesus, of course. What two things did Jesus reveal publicly for the first time in this parable?
- The “son” was killed by the tenants. To what did this refer? How does this show God’s remarkable grace? Have you thanked God for this grace today?
- Why is it an error to refer to God’s love as “unconditional”? Where did the phrase “unconditional love” come from?
- Why is it necessary to announce God’s coming judgment of the unrepentant, unpopular as it may be?
- Why did Jesus bother to tell this parable against the religious leaders? What was he hoping to accomplish? Did it work?