43 “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
In the past the Jews had been given the sacred trust of revealed religion and the task of bearing up and showing forth God’s great Name in the world. In our verses for today, our Lord now removes this privilege – taking it away from them and giving it to those who would “produce its fruit”. The grace we receive is not to be without effect. These religious leaders were not only unfruitful with their abundance of benefits but they vehemently opposed the Gospel of Christ as well. I am reminded of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians urging them (and us) not to receive God’s grace in vain - admonishing them (and us) to take action when confronted with the Truth of the Gospel. None ever hardens his heart against God and prospers. There is no time like the present says Paul – it is the gift – to receive salvation:
1 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV)
“The Gospel is a message about God. It tells us who he is, what his character is, what his standards are and what he requires of us, his creatures. It tells us that we owe our very existence to him...the gospel starts by teaching us that we, as creatures, are absolutely dependent on God, and that he as Creator, has an absolute claim on us. The gospel is a message about sin. It tells us how we have fallen short of God’s standard; how we have become guilty, filthy and helpless in sin, and now stand under the wrath of God...the gospel is a message about Christ. Christ is the Son of God incarnate; Christ is the Lamb of God, who died for sin; Christ is the risen Lord; Christ is the perfect Savior...The gospel is a summons to faith and repentance. All who hear the gospel are summoned by God to repent and believe”. J.I. Packer
Interestingly, those who come to Jesus know they are “broken” – we do not know we need a Savior until we realize we need saving. We are those who fall on the Stone, the Rock – Jesus - broken, in need of forgiveness. We know we have nothing to offer, no clean slate to bring to the table. It is a thorough realization of our imperfection, our knowledge of our sinful nature. A humbled heart fully penitent for sin is what God desires and receives. After King David’s episode with Bathsheba and his realization of his failure he humbly writes:
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalms 51:17 (NIV)
God is indeed close to those who are broken over their sin yet He is against the wicked. He hears the cries of the righteous – those downtrodden in spirit who are not arrogant and stubborn – and He delivers them. Better to be broken than crushed. Again, David writes:
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; 16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:15-18 (NIV)
Lastly, we see the religious leaders squirm over our Lord’s Words. A guilt conscience needs no accuser. They rightly knew He was talking about them yet instead of turning in repentance they sought revenge. They wanted rid of Him. When one hears reproof from the Word we have two options – embrace or reject – and reject they did.
“If you’re turned the wrong way, you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Ann Voskamp
God sets Himself against those who lead people astray with reckless lies claiming His authority. I am reminded of God’s Word penned by the Prophet Jeremiah:
28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. 29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jer 23:28-29 (NIV)
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:12-13 (NIV)
“But He is the Living Word and His Word is a flashing, double-edged sword and He doesn’t write Himself into neat five-point outlines but He is like the wind — and He speaks in parables that subvert and poetry that ignites and metaphors that jolt and there is nothing safe or small or stiff about Him.” Ann Voskamp