The Cornerstone Rejected

The Cornerstone Rejected

Following the Servant

Mark 12:1-12

Jesus has recently entered Jerusalem to the shouts and applause of the people (11:1–11). A couple of days later He enraged the religious leaders by cleansing the temple (11:15–19). The tension grew worse as He embarrassed them in a public showdown over the source of John the Baptist’s ministry and His own (11:27–33). Now He will inflame their hatred even more with a parable that exposes their evil hearts and their long-intended goal: to “destroy Him” (3:6; cf. 11:18; 14:1–2).

Psalm 80, Isaiah 5, and Jeremiah 2

This parable is about .

1. The God has for His people (v. 1)

Jesus began by picturing God’s hope for Israel as being like the hope of a man who built a vineyard and waited expectantly for it to produce. 

Isaiah 5:1, 2

2. The of God for His own people (vv. 2-8)

God’s patient love is seen in how He allows Himself to be treated through His servants. 

“If you reject Him, He answers you with tears; if you wound Him, He bleeds out cleansing; if you kill Him, He dies to redeem; if you bury Him, He rises again to bring resurrection. Jesus is love made manifest.” -Charles Spurgeon

Genesis 9:6

Matthew 21

God has given everything necessary to the nation of Israel for them to make the world aware of . 

• Isaiah was sawed in two (according to Justin Martyr; Hebrews 11:37)
• Jeremiah was mistreated and tradition says he was stoned to death.
• Ezekiel was murdered by an Israelite he’d properly rebuked.
• Amos had to run for his life.
• Zachariah (2 Chronicles 24) was stoned to death in the temple, where he thought he’d be safe.
• Micah the prophet was constantly beat in the face (1 Kings 22)

Hebrews 11:37 38

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed.” Matthew 23:29

Acts 7:51, 52

3. The of God. 

There is tremendous peril in remaining in opposition to Christ.  The penalty is to be eternally separated from God in hell.

2 Corinthians 5:11

Matthew 21:43

John 16:13

4. The ultimate of God in history (vv. 10, 11)

These verses describe the triumph that would accompany God’s judgment.  Jesus is the cornerstone in the eternal, spiritual Temple of God.   

 “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.” Psalm 118:22, 23

Jesus’ life and teaching would be the church’s .    

Acts 4:10-12

God will never be finished taking you deeper in the faith. There is  a next step.

James 2:14

Daily Meditations

Memory verse: “Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”  Mark 12:10

Monday

Read Mark 12:1-12.  How did Jesus get across His point in this situation?

The religious leaders lost sight of God’s message.  How does God want us to treat His message?

Tuesday

Read Mark 12:1-12.  Why did the man in the parable plant a vineyard?

What happened to the man’s vineyard while he was away on a journey?

Whom do the farmer, servants, and son in the parable represent?  See verses 1-6.

Wednesday

Read Mark 12:1-12. What was Jesus’ point in mentioning all the servants the owner sent to the tenants looking after the vineyard? Re-read verses 2-5.

Have you or someone you knew ever been mistreated because of your faith in Christ?

How can we show respect for the message God has given us?            

Thursday

Read Mark 12:1-12.  How can you be a better steward of the spiritual responsibility God has given you?

Who was the last person the owner sent to his vineyard?  See verse 6.

In verses 7 and 8, how did the tenants treat the owner’s son? Why?

Friday

Read Mark 12:1-12.  How does Jesus’ example encourage you to respond when you are faced with difficult circumstances?

In verse 9, what would be the response of the vineyard owner when he discovered how the tenants treated his son?

What can we expect the Lord to do if we try to rob Him of what is rightfully His?

Saturday

Read Mark 12:1-12.  According to verses 10 and 11, what is the significance in Jesus saying that He will fulfill Psalm 118:22-23 (read these verses)?

How did the religious leaders respond to the parable Jesus told in verse 12?

How does this passage encourage you to use your gifts and abilities for the Lord’s glory?