WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.860 Thanks very much, Graham. It's the shortest of the Gospels. It's an eyewitness account 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:15.640 of the life of Jesus Christ, really focusing in on the last three years of his life, 00:00:16.339 --> 00:00:25.420 and in particular from chapter 11 to chapter 16. It's really just the last week of Jesus' life 00:00:25.420 --> 00:00:35.820 before he dies. So at least a third of the book is taken up with the death of Jesus and his heading 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:43.719 towards that. So we're going to be looking at the section that was just read to us, Mark chapter 11, 00:00:43.719 --> 00:00:48.519 verse 27 to 12, verse 17. 00:00:51.399 --> 00:01:02.420 So, who is the boss? Who do you think is in charge? Well, the results of the referendum tell us 00:01:02.420 --> 00:01:09.879 that it's a shared authority between the Dáil and the Shannad. I'm not sure how you voted. If you 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:16.379 want to know how I voted, you can ask me later. But I think the real issue in this big debate has been 00:01:16.379 --> 00:01:26.439 who gets to hold the power? Who's going to be the ones in charge? Are we happy to give all the power 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:38.259 to one house, the Dáil, or will it be better if it is shared? Well, whatever the debate, no one likes 00:01:38.260 --> 00:01:46.260 one person to have all the authority. And I think if we're honest with ourselves, we want to maintain 00:01:46.260 --> 00:01:52.620 a certain amount of authority over our own lives. We don't want anybody telling us what to do. 00:01:54.880 --> 00:02:02.420 Now, the question of authority is one that is facing Jesus and us in the passage we had read to us. 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:05.000 Look at verse 27 again. 00:02:06.859 --> 00:02:16.120 They, that's Jesus and his disciples, arrived again in Jerusalem. It's now only five days till his death. 00:02:17.699 --> 00:02:23.979 And while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the highest place of authority, 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:32.459 the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders, the highest people in authority, 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:42.280 came to him. By what authority are you doing these things? They asked. And who gave you authority to do this? 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:47.399 Well, what had Jesus done? Well, remember what he had done the day before. 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:50.680 Go back to chapter 11, verse 15. 00:02:52.960 --> 00:02:54.860 Chapter 11, verse 15. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:03:02.620 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and he began driving out those who were buying and selling there. 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:07.099 He overturned tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:12.400 And he wouldn't allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:22.680 Now, the shock value of Jesus' actions here would be like you or I blocking the way into Leinster House 00:03:22.680 --> 00:03:29.620 and claiming that I, or you, replaced the shannad and the door. 00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:34.780 Who are you? Or who am I to claim such authority? 00:03:34.780 --> 00:03:43.139 Well, through his actions, Jesus was claiming authority over the temple and its leaders. 00:03:44.280 --> 00:03:49.020 In verse 27, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders, 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:54.500 they together made up this governing body, in some ways like a doll, 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:57.800 except for they were called the Sanhedrin. 00:03:58.500 --> 00:04:01.460 And they would have met together in the temple courts. 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:08.540 They were the authority amongst the people, socially, religiously and politically. 00:04:10.260 --> 00:04:17.139 And now Jesus comes into the middle of them all, claiming authority over them. 00:04:18.400 --> 00:04:23.439 By his actions, he was saying, I am here to replace the temple. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:28.980 I am here to replace you as the true leader. 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:34.620 I am the one with absolute power and supreme authority. 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:38.640 And the shock value for us? 00:04:40.259 --> 00:04:48.520 Well, Jesus claims the same absolute authority over my life and over your life. 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:54.700 Well, how could he make such an outrageous statement? 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:59.860 Well, first, the source of Jesus' authority. 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:01.459 Look at verse 28 again. 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:05.240 By what authority are you doing these things, they asked. 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:08.060 And who gave you the authority to do this? 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:13.860 Well, Jesus, holding his position of authority, replied in verse 29. 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:17.339 I will ask you one question. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:22.399 Answer me and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 00:05:22.399 --> 00:05:24.120 John's baptism. 00:05:25.159 --> 00:05:28.699 Was it from heaven or was it from man? 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:29.939 Tell me. 00:05:30.979 --> 00:05:35.639 Was the source God or was the source man? 00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:43.120 Well, keep your finger there in chapter 11 and go back to the very beginning of Mark's gospel, 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:45.360 to chapter 1, verse 9. 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:52.120 And here we have an account of John's baptism as Jesus was baptised. 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:55.480 Mark, chapter 1 and verse 9. 00:05:55.480 --> 00:06:08.840 So was the baptism from God or was it from man? 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:16.620 At that time, verse 9, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. 00:06:17.400 --> 00:06:25.080 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:27.699 And a voice came from heaven. 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:32.339 You are my son, whom I love. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:35.699 With you I am well pleased. 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:42.159 This was God's public declaration of who Jesus is. 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:43.459 It was an announcement. 00:06:44.219 --> 00:06:45.399 The voice from heaven. 00:06:45.860 --> 00:06:47.079 God's audible voice. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:49.959 You are my son. 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:59.979 It's telling us that Jesus was not only sent by God, but that Jesus came with God's authority. 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:05.520 So the source of Jesus' authority is from God. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:10.700 In other words, Jesus' authority is God's authority. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:15.000 Now that shouldn't come as any surprise to us. 00:07:15.700 --> 00:07:18.340 If you've read through the book of Mark, 00:07:19.200 --> 00:07:25.680 you would have seen that Jesus showed his authority by healing the sick with just a touch. 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:29.420 He controlled storms by just a word. 00:07:30.139 --> 00:07:35.420 He proved his authority by raising a little girl from the dead. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:39.620 And by telling people their sins were forgiven. 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:45.319 All of which only God could do. 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:50.399 And now Jesus is doing it. 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:58.199 But here, back in chapter 11, it gets even more personal. 00:07:58.919 --> 00:08:03.579 Because Jesus is claiming authority not just over sickness and over nature. 00:08:04.479 --> 00:08:07.179 He's claiming authority over people. 00:08:08.219 --> 00:08:12.279 He claims authority over my life and over your life. 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:16.519 The crowds who had witnessed the baptism of Jesus, 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:18.439 well, they were in no doubt at all. 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:21.379 They had seen it and they had heard it. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:25.719 They knew that Jesus came with God's authority. 00:08:26.979 --> 00:08:30.559 But that's what the Sanhedrin, the leaders, were afraid of. 00:08:30.619 --> 00:08:31.659 Look at verse 31. 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:35.579 They discussed it among themselves and they said, 00:08:35.580 --> 00:08:42.080 if we say from heaven, if we say the source of authority was from God, 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:46.420 then he'll ask, why didn't you believe him? 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:49.720 Why didn't you believe everything that John had to say about Jesus? 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:54.080 But if we say it was from men, it was all made up, 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:59.100 they feared the people for everyone held that John really was a prophet. 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:09.840 You see, the Sanhedrin, if they admitted that the source of Jesus' authority was from God, 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:15.480 then they would have to submit to him and bow the knee to him, 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:21.300 something they and we find very hard to do. 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:28.979 So second, the rejection of Jesus' authority. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:30.579 How are they going to respond? 00:09:30.959 --> 00:09:35.459 How are we going to respond to Jesus' claim that he has authority? 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:37.319 Well, let's read on. 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:38.479 Chapter 12, verse 1. 00:09:38.579 --> 00:09:43.759 He then began to speak to them in parables, in a story with a meaning. 00:09:44.839 --> 00:09:48.120 And let's remember who this parable is for. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:52.120 We're told in verse 12 who this parable is for. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:54.460 Chapter 12, verse 12. 00:09:54.820 --> 00:10:01.240 They looked for a way to arrest Jesus because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:09.320 In fact, this story that Jesus tells is as much about us as it is about them. 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:14.940 Jesus is showing us through the story how we reject his authority. 00:10:15.560 --> 00:10:17.740 So let's take a look at this story together. 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:19.500 Chapter 12, verse 1. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:22.100 A man planted a vineyard. 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:26.720 He put a big wall around it and he dug a pit for the wine press. 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:29.519 And then he built a watchtower. 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:32.820 Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers. 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:35.159 And he went away on a journey. 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:42.219 And of course, as the story goes on, we see that when it came to the harvest time to pick the grapes, 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:47.639 the landowner sent one of his servants to collect some of the produce. 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:52.279 But instead of getting the produce, the farmers took him and they beat him up. 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:55.679 Look at verse 5. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:58.360 He sent still another. 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:01.360 And that one they killed. 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:03.899 He sent many others. 00:11:04.659 --> 00:11:06.240 Some of them they beat up. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.539 And others they killed. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:10.980 Everyone that came. 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:15.299 Everyone that was sent by the owner, they rejected and ignored. 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:16.579 Finally, verse 6. 00:11:17.959 --> 00:11:20.059 He had one left to send. 00:11:20.819 --> 00:11:22.699 A son whom he loved. 00:11:23.419 --> 00:11:25.759 He sent him last of all, saying, 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:28.539 They will respect my son. 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:32.240 But the tenants said to one another, 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:34.639 Look, this is the heir. 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:39.740 Come, let's kill him and then the inheritance will be ours. 00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:46.740 So they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:54.019 It's not very difficult to see the point Jesus is making, is it? 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:56.819 In the story we have the farmers. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:00.460 And their aim is to get rid of the son. 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:03.899 So that they can own the property. 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:07.539 And then they become the ones in charge of the vineyard. 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:09.120 They become the boss. 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:14.319 And this is what Jesus is saying to these leaders. 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:15.819 He's saying to them, 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.120 Can you see? 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:19.039 You want to get rid of me. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:21.600 You want to kill me. 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.259 The true son of God. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:26.139 So that you become the ones in charge. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:30.259 Then you will be the ones who have all authority. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.879 Well, of course, this was nothing new. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:37.939 This had been the story of Israel throughout their history. 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:41.439 God throughout time had kept sending his prophets. 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:42.799 One after the other. 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:45.220 Who kept speaking God's word to them. 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:47.759 But they kept rejecting it. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.220 Don't want it. 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:50.220 Didn't want to listen. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:54.040 And now they reject Jesus. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:57.580 God's final and ultimate word. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:13:02.100 But let's not lose the focus here. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:05.860 Because this is also our story. 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:11.420 Because we're to see ourselves in this story as the farmers. 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:19.579 You see, Jesus still exercises his authority over us through his word, the Bible. 00:13:19.579 --> 00:13:20.719 He is now risen. 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:23.120 He reigns in the heavens. 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:28.579 And he now exercises his authority over us through his word, the Bible. 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:31.420 So let me ask this question for us all. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:35.360 What is our attitude to God's word? 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:38.560 To this book, to this Bible? 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:48.759 Because how we treat the Bible is how we treat the authority of Jesus. 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:53.000 Maybe you think the Bible is irrelevant. 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:55.539 Maybe you think it's outdated. 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:58.500 Maybe you think it's too restrictive. 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:01.580 Maybe it encroaches on your freedoms. 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:05.779 So you just simply don't bother with it. 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:10.039 Well, maybe you believe it's actually true. 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:12.480 And you say, yep, this is a true account. 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:15.659 But you just don't read it very much. 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:16.960 Maybe once a week. 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:18.639 Maybe a month. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.700 Maybe not at all. 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:24.560 Perhaps you do read it. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:29.180 But as you read it, we're always thinking, 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:33.860 this will be good for that person. 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:37.820 So as you read through it, you're going along and you're thinking, 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:39.200 oh, that's interesting. 00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:41.540 I wonder why they didn't read it. 00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:44.019 Because that would be really good for them. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:54.280 You see, to ignore God's word is to ignore Jesus. 00:14:54.279 --> 00:15:00.740 To take God's word, the Bible, and literally to shut it up, 00:15:01.939 --> 00:15:05.039 is to tell Jesus to shut up. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:10.519 To push the teaching of his word out of our lives, 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:14.259 is to put Jesus out of our lives. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:25.259 You see, this whole story in Mark's gospel is to tell us that we're really no better than the farmers in the story. 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:28.179 Who said, let's kill him. 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:30.340 Let's get rid of Jesus. 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.340 Let's get rid of Jesus. 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:38.780 And then I will be the authority. 00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:47.720 You see, whoever we are, we all reject the authority of Jesus. 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:47.960 Jesus. 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:53.920 But his authority still stands. 00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:59.940 And he has proved his authority, which is our third point. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:03.300 Look at verse 9 of chapter 12. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:11.000 What then will the owner of the vineyard do? 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:16.340 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:18.680 You see, we might try to remove Jesus. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:20.560 We might try to reject his authority. 00:16:21.040 --> 00:16:24.800 But he is still the one who has supreme authority over us. 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:26.899 Verse 10. 00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:30.100 Haven't you read this scripture? 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:35.620 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:40.700 Now, they all knew the stone that Jesus was talking about. 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:42.280 It was the stone in the temple. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:45.980 The builders had disregarded it. 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.840 They thought it was of no use. 00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:51.539 But it actually turned out to be the most important stone in the building. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:55.320 Take it away and the whole building would collapse. 00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:05.120 Now, with that thought in mind, remember what Jesus had been saying about himself all the way along. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:10.059 Go back to chapter 8, verse 31. 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.739 Chapter 8, verse 31. 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:16.000 Remember what Jesus had been saying would happen to him. 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:18.619 Chapter 8, verse 31. 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:35.799 Jesus then began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man, that's Jesus, must suffer many things 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:50.579 and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:54.339 Now, go back to chapter 12. 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:58.899 You see, what Jesus is saying to them here with this quote, 00:17:59.019 --> 00:18:01.539 the stone the builders rejected has become the capstone. 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:03.759 He's saying, I'm like that stone. 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:07.119 You have rejected me. 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:10.240 You are even going to kill me. 00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:16.319 But three days later, I'm going to rise again from the dead. 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.480 I'm like the capstone. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:21.759 You think by killing me you get rid of me. 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:27.440 But by my resurrection from the dead, I prove my authority over you. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:35.220 Remove me and your whole life, your world will collapse. 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.400 Verse 11. 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:43.259 The Lord has done this and it is marvellous in our eyes. 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:51.460 The rejection of Jesus, the death of the true Son, becomes proof of his authority as he rises from the dead. 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:58.220 The rejection of Jesus meant he becomes the champion, the one who is over all. 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.900 The Lord has done all of this. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:03.059 He managed to put this plan in place. 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:12.980 Now, like the leaders, we can stand in judgment over Jesus and we can want to accuse him. 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:19.240 But he is the risen Lord who will come to judge each one of us. 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:21.480 Because that is what he will do. 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:24.519 He will come again one day and he will judge us. 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:31.559 In fact, the way we treat Jesus is the way he will treat us in judgment. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:37.279 If we reject him now, he will reject us then. 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:39.799 We will be shut out. 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:42.400 We will suffer hell. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:51.019 So, the proof is there that Jesus is in authority. 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:55.140 So, what are we going to do about it? 00:19:56.900 --> 00:20:00.440 Well, number four, the response to Jesus' authority. 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:02.860 Look at verse 13. 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:10.579 Later, they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians, others who had positions of authority. 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:13.759 They sent them to Jesus to catch him in his words. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:17.139 Because they still were not accepting his authority. 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.799 They were still rejecting it. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.179 Verse 14. 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.900 They came to him and said, 00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:25.759 Teacher, we know you're a man of integrity. 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.200 Lick, lick. 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:33.060 You aren't swayed by men because you pay no attention to who they are. 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:36.560 But you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 00:20:39.380 --> 00:20:43.080 Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:47.539 Should we pay or shouldn't we pay? 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:53.299 Now, this is a very, very clever question. 00:20:55.440 --> 00:21:02.240 Because if Jesus says, yes, pay taxes to Caesar, pay your taxes to Rome, 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:07.359 then they knew the crowds would all turn against Jesus 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.819 because they didn't like Roman rule. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:12.500 They didn't want to be paying taxes to them. 00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:16.139 And if Jesus said, yes, they'd lynch him. 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:23.539 If Jesus said, no, don't pay taxes to Rome, don't give your money to Caesar, 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:27.440 well, then they knew that the authorities would find out 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:29.599 and they would put Jesus away. 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:33.279 So either answer, if Jesus said yes or no, 00:21:33.899 --> 00:21:36.279 Jesus is going to find himself in unwanted trouble. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:39.799 Both answers could actually get him killed. 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:45.399 But, look at the rest of verse 15, 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:47.119 Jesus knew their hypocrisy. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.440 Why are you trying to trap me? 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:54.579 Bring me a denarius and let me look at it. 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:57.000 Bring me one of those coins. 00:21:58.779 --> 00:22:05.819 A denarius was simply the same amount of what you would pay in a day's tax to Caesar. 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:07.700 Verse 16, 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:11.099 So they brought the coin and he asked them, 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:16.039 whose portrait or whose image is in it? 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:20.200 And whose inscription is written on it? 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:24.919 Well, we can imagine them taking the coin and looking at it very carefully 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:27.919 and they would see that the image was Caesar's. 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:32.279 And they'd flick it over and they'd see on the other side this inscription, 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:37.880 Caesar Augustus, son of the divine Augustus. 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.720 End of verse 16, 00:22:41.820 --> 00:22:43.000 Caesar's, they replied. 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:44.940 It belongs to him. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.740 It's his image. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:49.120 It's got his words written on it. 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:51.539 Verse 17, 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.580 Then Jesus said to them, 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.700 Well, give to Caesar's what Caesar's, 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:57.900 and give to God's what is God's. 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.279 Look, he says, 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.160 give it to Caesar. 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:04.860 Give that coin to Caesar 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:08.000 because his name and image is on it. 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.400 It belongs to him. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.580 But you, 00:23:12.860 --> 00:23:16.580 you bear the image of God. 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:19.019 Remember Genesis, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:21.400 chapter 1, verse 27, 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:22.940 I have it on the screen there. 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:27.259 God created man in his own image. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.440 In the image of God, 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.680 he created him. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:32.539 Male and female, 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:34.019 he created them. 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.500 He's saying to them, 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:39.019 you were created by God. 00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:41.640 You are his design. 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.680 His name is on you. 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:46.200 So give to God's, 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.720 what is God's? 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.380 Your life. 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:52.260 You know, 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:53.160 all the implements 00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:55.280 and things that we have in our house, 00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:56.640 if you turn them upside down, 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.660 it's got a little label 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.380 and it will say, 00:23:58.780 --> 00:23:59.240 Made in. 00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:02.200 All my little toys used to say, 00:24:02.280 --> 00:24:03.160 Made in Taiwan. 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:05.320 I don't know if they still have Taiwan 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:07.340 or if they make toys in Taiwan anymore. 00:24:08.760 --> 00:24:10.540 But everything is made somewhere. 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.880 It's got an identity. 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:13.480 Well, 00:24:13.520 --> 00:24:14.100 in some ways, 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:16.240 if we turn ourselves upside down, 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.960 stamped across us, 00:24:18.520 --> 00:24:20.740 is God's name. 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:24.780 God's image has been ingrained in us. 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:25.620 Yes, 00:24:25.840 --> 00:24:28.140 it is a broken and a distorted image, 00:24:28.580 --> 00:24:30.220 but we belong to him. 00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:32.040 We are his. 00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:33.700 He owns us. 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:36.200 So give to God's, 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.180 what is God's. 00:24:37.520 --> 00:24:39.020 Submit to his authority. 00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:41.260 Surrender your life to him. 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:45.140 Let his word 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:47.640 soak into our lives, 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:50.140 shaping us and transforming us 00:24:50.140 --> 00:24:51.599 so that broken image 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:54.359 would be transformed 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:57.200 into the likeness of Christ. 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:03.859 We find submitting to authority 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.640 very difficult. 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:07.519 We don't like to give our lives 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:09.099 in surrender to anyone. 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:11.939 But let me show you 00:25:11.939 --> 00:25:13.559 why we can 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:15.599 and why we should. 00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:17.059 Here's why we can submit 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.059 to his authority. 00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:21.039 Remember the story Jesus told. 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:22.339 Go back to verse 6 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.919 of chapter 12. 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.899 See what it says there? 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:30.519 The owner had 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:32.659 one left to send. 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:35.180 A son 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:37.740 whom he loved. 00:25:39.300 --> 00:25:40.620 He sent him 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:42.120 last of all saying 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:44.580 they will respect my son. 00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:47.259 What did they do? 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:47.840 Verse 8. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.380 They took him 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:53.220 and they killed him 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:55.779 and threw him 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:57.500 out of the vineyard. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:59.960 You see Jesus is 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.839 talking about himself 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:03.480 in this story. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.500 Jesus is God's 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.279 beloved son 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.319 who was killed. 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.480 But his death 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.099 on the cross 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.759 was a death 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.839 in place of you 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:15.140 and for me. 00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:16.980 When Jesus was put 00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.960 to death on the cross 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:19.000 he was taking 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.119 my punishment, 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.980 your punishment 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.160 for rejecting 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.119 his authority. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.639 for pushing him 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:26.119 out of our lives 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:27.279 Jesus took the blame 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.979 for us. 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:30.119 You see Jesus 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.619 is not some tyrant 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:33.179 or some dictator 00:26:33.179 --> 00:26:34.099 who abuses 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.919 his authority. 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.059 Some kind of 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.019 vindictive bully 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.000 who starts pointing 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.859 fingers and saying 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:39.599 do this, 00:26:39.739 --> 00:26:40.139 do that 00:26:40.139 --> 00:26:40.779 and do it all 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.259 for me. 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.599 No, Jesus 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:45.779 used his authority 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:49.239 to serve us 00:26:49.239 --> 00:26:51.619 by dying 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.779 for us. 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:55.459 And at the heart 00:26:55.459 --> 00:26:56.199 of this story 00:26:56.199 --> 00:26:56.879 is this very 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:57.939 simple message 00:26:57.939 --> 00:26:58.939 that Jesus 00:26:58.939 --> 00:26:59.699 was treated 00:26:59.699 --> 00:27:01.419 as you and I 00:27:01.419 --> 00:27:02.559 deserve to be treated 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:04.699 so that we might 00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:05.259 be treated 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.039 as Jesus 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:07.339 deserves to be treated. 00:27:10.179 --> 00:27:11.519 He took the blame 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:13.299 for rejecting 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.939 his authority 00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:16.719 so that we might 00:27:16.719 --> 00:27:17.500 live with him 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.119 that we might 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.179 belong to him 00:27:19.179 --> 00:27:20.179 that we might 00:27:20.179 --> 00:27:21.199 live under his 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:22.299 good and 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.359 perfect rule 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.680 in his kingdom. 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.680 You see if Jesus 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:28.460 is so generous 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:30.099 if Jesus 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.819 is so gracious 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:32.779 if he is so 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.480 good 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:35.720 if he would 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.500 give his life 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:36.940 for you 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:38.859 then why would 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.919 we not want 00:27:39.919 --> 00:27:40.839 to submit 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.859 to his authority? 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.159 Why would we 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:44.799 not want 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.919 to let his word 00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:47.419 soak into our 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:47.960 lives 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.799 to restore 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.180 you 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.579 and renew 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.039 you 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.579 to be the 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.380 kind of people 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.840 he calls us 00:27:55.840 --> 00:27:56.279 to be? 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.700 His authority 00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.380 is a good 00:27:59.380 --> 00:27:59.940 authority. 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.920 We should 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.980 submit to it 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:04.840 as he gave 00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:05.420 his life 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.880 for us. 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.400 Let's pray. 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:22.960 Father, 00:28:23.060 --> 00:28:25.019 I need 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:28.980 to 00:28:29.780 --> 00:28:30.960 follow 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:32.040 to 00:28:32.040 --> 00:28:32.680 him 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:33.920 out