527. MAT 21:38, MAT 21:43. THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN

Mat_21:38, Mat_21:43. The Wicked Husbandmen

"Hear another parable: There was a certain householder which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruit of it," &c.’97Mat_21:38, Mat_21:43.

This parable is an exposition of the privileges God had bestowed on the Jewish nation, and their abuse and perversion of blessings thus conferred. In this case we have a beautiful illustration of the importance of parabolical teaching, for by this means the Jews were constrained to convict and pass sentence on themselves, and to have the enormity of their wickedness forcibly and fully presented before them.

Observe,

I. The privileges conferred. These are likened to the possession of a "vineyard, planted, hedged round about," &c., Mat_21:33. The Jews had a dispensation of light and mercy. They had ordinances,’97a priesthood,’97the oracles,’97the Divine presence, care, protection, and blessing. Every thing needful to their national prosperity,’97ecclesiastical purity, and spiritual happiness.

From the Jews, let us turn to ourselves. Think of our national elevation! Religious privileges, ordinances,’97the word of God with all the promises and richer blessings of the gospel dispensation. How numerous too are many of our personal mercies. Pious parentage’97religious friends, and unnumbered privileges, and blessings. "Line upon line," &c. Observe,

II. How these privileges were perverted and abused. Notice,

1. Their refusal to yield the fruits thereof to the rightful proprietor. A portion of these fruits they had to yield to the owner; and at the proper time he sent his servants to receive them. This was equitable and reasonable. But these demands they wickedly refused. Has not God a claim upon us? Does he not require a suitable return for the privileges and benefits received? But are these equitable claims duly met? Met gratefully and faithfully? By the constraining mercies of God, do we present ourselves a living sacrifice, which is our reasonable service?

2. Their evil treatment of the messenger sent to them. "And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another," &c., Mat_21:35. These were literal facts in the history of the Jewish nation. Many of their prophets they put to death. Isaiah is said to have been sawn asunder. See Heb_11:37, &c. How often has it been the lot of God’s faithful servants to be hated and persecuted by those to whom they brought the message of salvation. This was the lot of most of the apostles, and first preachers of the cross of Christ. Of many of the early Protestant Reformers. Of the devoted Puritans, of the self-denying Nonconformists. Of Wesley and Whitfield, and the early Methodist preachers. Of many modern missionaries’97Williams and Harris, and others. In our own country, where the persons and property of Christian ministers are protected by law, yet what bitter hatred and scorn are often evinced by the skeptical and profane rejecters of the gospel. Observe,

3. Their murder of the heir. "But last of all, he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence ray son: but when they saw the son, they said, This is the heir, let us kill him," &c., Mat_21:37, Mat_21:38. On the part of the proprietor, we see the utmost forbearance, and his solicitude to obtain the tribute which they owed. He risked his own sou. He concluded that for him they would have respect, and to him they would yield homage. But they filled up the measure of their iniquity by basely putting him to death. How all this was predictive of the great act of Jewish hardness and infatuation, in crucifying the Lord of glory. See how Peter charges this murder upon them, Act_2:23. How glaring and horrible this deed. And yet wilful sin and unbelief is crucifying the Lord afresh, and putting him to an open shame. Who is not then guilty of the death of Christ?

III. The just punishment which the Jews deemed a righteous retribution. The Saviour having presented this case, asked them, what will the Lord of the vineyard do unto those husbandmen? They replied, "He will miserably destroy those wicked men," &c., Mat_21:41. Here they passed a righteous sentence on themselves. A sentence which was put into execution, when the Romans destroyed their city, and when they were cut off from the privileges which for thousands of years they had possessed. In this we have a sure exhibition of God’s terrible wrath against all finally impenitent and incorrigible sinners. There can be no escape for those who despise the gospel, and neglect so great salvation.

Then learn,

1. Rightly to estimate and improve your privileges.

2. Earnestly seek to obtain, and retain, the favor of the Lord.

3. And be ever prepared to surrender your accounts, and that with joy, and not with grief.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS