The Folly of Opposing Christ – Matthew 21:28-42

By David Woods

The late Dr. Peter Marshall once selected for use in a church service the familiar hymn of consecration, "Take My Life and Let It Be." He requested the congregation to give particular thought to the words: "Take my silver and my gold, Not a mite would I withhold."

Exacting the practical sense of the words "not a mite would I withhold," he asked that all who could not sing this line with literal sincerity, refrain from singing it at all.

The effect was a dramatic commentary on the glib, thoughtless manner in which, all too often, we sing our hymns. Hundreds of voices, with organ accompaniment, sang vigorously up to the designated point. Then, suddenly, there was only the sound of the organ music. Not a single voice ventured to so challenging a height!1

Read Matthew 21:23-27

Read “Introduction” (optional)

We will be studying two parables today.  These parables tie in directly with the scripture that precedes the text printed in our lesson.  Jesus had entered Jerusalem and displayed His authority as the Messiah.  The religious leaders were afraid and upset.

It will help us to understand our scripture text to remember how the religious leaders viewed Jesus.

Discussion: What did the scribes and Pharisees think about Jesus?  Did they believe He was the Messiah?  Why not?

Discussion: Consider the religious leaders’ self-perception.  What did they think about themselves as the chosen people of God?

Read Matthew 21:28-32

Discussion: The title of our lesson is “the folly of opposing Christ”.  How did the first son oppose his father?  In the end, was this son in opposition to his father?

Discussion: Did the second son oppose his father?  How?

(He did not oppose his father initially, but when he failed to obey his father he did, in effect, oppose his father’s wishes.)

Discussion: What was Jesus trying to teach the religious leaders by telling this parable?

Discussion: How did the religious leaders view publicans and harlots?  Describe how you think these religious people must have reacted at the thought that publicans and harlots would get to Heaven before them.

Read Matthew 21:33-42

Discussion: How does the householder’s renting of his vineyard to farmers (husbandmen) illustrate God’s dealings with the Israelites?

Discussion: Why did the householder keep sending servants to receive his rent when the farmers kept on mistreating them?  What spiritual reality was Jesus trying to illustrate?

Discussion: Does it really make sense that the householder would send his son after the continual opposition of the farmers?  Why did God send His Son to the world after the continual rejection of God by the Jews (and the rest of the world also)?

Discussion: Consider the heated reaction of the crowd in verse forty-one.  What is it that causes us to see the fault of others so easily, but to ignore our own?

Discussion: In summary, categorize the type of opposition the protagonist – the good guy - experienced in each parable.

(In the second parable, the householder was actively opposed by wicked husbandmen.  In the first parable, the father was actively opposed by the first son who then repented and became obedient.  In the first parable, the father was also passively opposed by the second son who said he would obey, but failed to do so.)

Discussion: Describe some ways Christ is being actively opposed today by the world?  How is Christ being actively opposed by some so-called Christians?

Discussion: Describe some ways Christ is being passively opposed by the world and by Christians.

In an article concerning the twelve most important religious findings in America during 2006, barna.org lists four overall trends.  While most of these trends address Christians in general, the second trend seems to focus more on Christians.

...people do not have an  accurate view of themselves when it comes to spirituality. American Christians are not as devoted to their faith as they like to believe. They have positive feelings about the importance of faith, but their faith is rarely the focal point of their life or a critical factor in their decision-making. The fact that few people take the time to evaluate their spiritual journey, or to develop benchmarks or indicators of their spiritual health, facilitates a distorted view of the prominence and purity of faith in their life.2

Discussion: If Christians fail to live in obedience to God’s Word, are they truly obeying Christ?  Or are they in passive opposition to God?

In Holiness for Ordinary Heroes, Keith Drury tells “Sue’s Story” of how she was saved from sin, progressively walked in God’s light, and eventually submitted her life to Christ fully and was entirely sanctified.  During the time Sue was gradually surrendering more of her life to Christ before she realized her need to totally consecrate her life to God, Sue had a very important experience one day.

Our son takes out the garbage each day when he returns from school.  I often have to remind him once or twice of this chore.  On one particular day he was especially slow to respond.  I had reminded him of his duty four or five times before we sat down to supper.  After supper I noticed the garbage was still not carried out and I warned him, “This is the last time I am going to remind you.  Take out the garbage!”  He went for his coat, but once again got sidetracked with some of his toys.  Later I discovered that the garbage still was not taken out.  Needless to say, we had a ‘serious talk’ (the kind which starts with a spanking!).  I explained to my son how continued delaying in obedience eventually becomes disobedience.  I was disciplining him, even though he had not outwardly defied my authority.  His foot-dragging had, in fact, become disobedience.3

Big Idea: We reject Christ as our Lord when we disobey Him.

Reflection: Is there any area in your life in which you are actively or passively disobeying Christ?  What does God want you to do about that right now?  Will you obey Him?