Parable of the Vineyard
Who does the landowner represent?
God
Why didn't Jesus go at once to Lazarus?
Jesus took his time so that through Lazarus' death:
1. the glory of God might be revealed
2. people could believe in Him.
What are some of the things we know about the old city of Jericho?
1. The NEW city of Jericho was build beside the OLD city of Jericho, so that as you entered one, you left the other.
BONUS:
During the time of Joshua the thick walls fell down.
A curse from the Lord was placed on anyone who would rebuild the city. It was rebuilt during the reign of wicked King Ahab and the man who rebuilt the city's oldest and youngest sons died, fulfilling the curse.
Who does the nobleman who goes to accept a new kingdom represent?
Jesus
What did Martha do for Jesus to show her love?
She quietly worked, serving the guests and making food.
What did Jesus do in the temple.
Why?
1. He drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and He overturned the tables of the moneychangers.
2. Why? This was His Father's house and a place of worship. Jesus said, "My house shall be a house of PRAYER, but you make it a den of robbers."
What do the foremen represent?
God's angels
How long did Jesus remain near the Jordan after receiving the message that Lazarus was sick?
He stayed teaching for 2 more days, and went to Bethany on the 3rd day.
How are the stories of Matthew and Luke different about the story of Blind Bartimaeus?
Are we concerned about these differences?
Matthew: 2 blind men, Jesus leaving Jericho
Luke: 1 blind man (Bartimaeus), and Jesus is going in Jericho.
We are NOT concerned about these differences.
1. Luke likely just decides to focus on Bartimaeus (he even knows his name). The other man is likely there, just not the main character.
2. As you leave old Jericho, you enter new Jericho, and vice versa.
We KNOW that the Bible is true and we can trust it. Even though these stories SEEM to disagree, they don't.
What does the going away represent?
Jesus is going away to accept His Kingdom. He is going to die for our SINS and then enter His heavenly kingdom. He may be gone for (what seems to us and his disciples) a long time.
What did Mary do for Jesus?
She anointed Jesus by pouring expensive oil on his head and feet.
She wiped it with her hair.
This oil was worth more than a year's wages for a labourer. 300 denarii or silver coins.
Why were the chief priests and scribes outraged?
1. Jesus drove out the money changers. It made them angry that he had the authority to do that. He was acting like the Son of God! They considered this blasphemy because they didn't believe that He was God.
2. They were angry that the children were shouting "Hosana, to the Son of David!" They were terrified that a repeat of the previous day (the triumphal entry) would happen again and that Jesus would be crowned King. They didn't want this because they feared a rebellion and punishment from the Romans.
Who do the workers represent?
Us - The People of the Kingdom
Why did the disciples NOT want Jesus to travel to Judea?
They were worried for Jesus life. The last time they were in Judea the Jews tried to stone Jesus, and they still wanted to kill him.
The story of Zacchaeus & Bartimaeus are similar. What are they both willing to give up?
DIGNITY
1. Bartimaeus keeps calling out to Jesus, even though people kept telling him to be quiet.
2. Zacchaeus was a grown adult and he climbed a tree to get to see Jesus. The people hated him because he was a tax collector, and they would likely make fun of him for that and for the fact that he was too short to even see.
BOTH men weren't afraid to be EMBARASSED and they DIDN'T GIVE UP in their quest to see Jesus.
What does the time the king is away represent?
1. It could represent the 3 days in the grave, when Jesus died and was in Heaven until He rose on the 3rd day.
2. It could represent the present time - when Jesus is in heaven and we are waiting for Him to return on the clouds of heaven.
What did Judas think about the ointment that Mary used to anoint Jesus?
Judas said, "Why all this waste? We could have sold this bottle and given the money to the poor!"
He said this because he was in charge of the money and he would often steal some.
What did Jesus to do the Fig Tree? Why
Jesus went up to the fig tree to find some figs. It was early in the season, but there should have been evidence of fruit growing on the tree. There was none. So Jesus cursed the tree. This wasn't anger, but a tree that does not bear fruit is useless. Jesus is also teaching his disciples with this, that a life of faith that bears no fruit, is really not a life of faith at all. (Think of the Pharisees).
The tree shriveled up and died.
What do the wages represent?
Our earthly reward in heaven.
What does Jesus mean when He says, "Lazarus has fallen asleep."
To Jesus, death is simply but sleeping.
Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead, just as easily as someone wakes up a sleeping person.
If you stole or cheated someone, how were you to repay the victim according to the Old Testament Laws.
You had to repay MORE than what you too. Sometimes this was even up to 5X the amount!
What do the 10 minas represent?
The gospel
What did Jesus say in response to Judas' complaints about Mary anointing Jesus with the expensive perfume?
The Chief Priests and Scribes demanded that Jesus answer the question "Who gave you authority to do these things?" What were they asking? What does this question mean?
The Chief Priests and Scribes were the men who ruled the temple and had authority there. Basically, they were asking, "Who gave you authority or power to kick out the vendors and money changers?"
What does this parable mean?
1. All those who are called to work in the vineyard receive the same wages.
SO, All those who enter the Kingdom of heaven all receive the same gift of grace (forgiveness of sins and eternal life).
2. It doesn't matter when you believe - all your life or at the end.
How did Thomas (who later was pessimistic and doubted Jesus' resurrection when he didn't see Him), show His love for Jesus?
"Let us go and die with Him."
This shows his pessimism - Jesus is going to die.
What was Jesus sent into the world to do?
Who are the subjects who make the 5 or 10 minas?
Those who have heard the gospel. They should work with the gospel, grow their faith and want to share the gospel with others.
How did Jesus get the colt on which He rode?
He sent 2 disciples to get a colt from the village ahead, Bethphage. If anyone questions they are to say, "The Lord needs it."
The thief that was crucified on the cross with Jesus is an example of "the last will be first."
EXPLAIN what this means and how this is an example of how the last will be first.
1. This man was wicked and lived a life deserving the death penalty.
2. YET, right before He died he repented and Jesus accepted Him into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Bonus: Jesus said, "TODAY you will be with me in Paradise."
What was Martha's confession?
You are the Christ, the Son of God!
Those who hear the gospel, but they don't do anything with it, perhaps because of fear or persecution, or because of what others might think.
How did the people show their enthusiasm for Jesus?
Path for him: palm branches and cloaks
Sing: Hosana, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Waved: Banners, flags, palm branches
These are ALL things that you would do for a King returning in triumph.
What do the "ruling cities" represent in this parable?
Those who show responsibility over little will be given more.
Why did Jesus ride upon the colt of a donkey?
1. To fulfill the prophesy of Zechariah that says "Behold your King is coming...humble and mounted on a donkey."
2. This showed HUMILITY and the type of Kingdom that Christ would bring. A king would ride on a horse, not a donkey.
What did the people think Jesus should have done?
They thought Jesus should have healed Lazarus when he was sick, just as he healed the man born blind.
They were disappointed that he delayed and didn't come in time.
"If you were here, you could have healed Lazarus."
What do those who were killed before the king represent?
Satan and his followers who do whatever they can to stop the gospel from spreading.
It could also mean those who would later plot to kill Jesus.
What does Jesus do before calling Lazarus from the grave?
1. Jesus gives thanks to God for raising Lazarus (past tense....means it's already done.)
2. Jesus is praying out loud to make it clear to the crowd, so that they would give glory to God.
He prays out loud for the benefit of the people. He could have prayed quietly in his head, but he prays out loud to teach the people.
What does Lazarus do in response to Jesus' command?
He comes out of the tomb, still bound with the grave cloths.
How did the Jews react to the miracle of raising Lazarus?
1. Many believed.
2. Some went to the Pharisees and told them what happened.
3. The Pharisees began to plot Jesus' death with the High Priest, Caiaphas.