WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.160 Amen. Well, Advent is quickly approaching, isn't it? The season of peace and goodwill to men, of stars and of gifts and of festive cheer, of the baby in the manger, gentle Jesus, meek and mild. 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:29.920 And as we approach Advent, as we think about the coming of the Lord Jesus as a baby, this passage that we've just read jolts us out of that a bit, doesn't it? 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:39.659 Because Jesus teaches here that his arrival marks not just Christmas cheer, but a crisis. 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:48.399 He comes as the light of the world, but it turns out that there is a dark side to Christmas. 00:00:49.539 --> 00:00:55.399 When the light comes, he reveals a dark side in us. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:04.039 And Jesus tells a parable in Luke 20, and he pictures the arrival of the son of a vineyard owner, 00:01:04.040 --> 00:01:09.300 who comes to deal with a bunch of rebellious tenants on his land, doesn't he? 00:01:09.860 --> 00:01:15.460 And when they recognise this son, they throw him out and they kill him. 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:23.620 So the owner rightly punishes them for that. He destroys them, and we think, good for him, that's the right thing to do. 00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:33.320 Jesus tells this parable, and he directs this story towards the chief priests and the scribes, the religious leaders of the day. 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:39.180 Who have consistently sought to reject Jesus as Lord. 00:01:39.820 --> 00:01:45.460 They are supposedly building God's kingdom as the kind of religious ministers of the day. 00:01:46.140 --> 00:01:51.500 But the building is going to fall on top of them as they reject Jesus. 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:57.900 Jesus uses the language, doesn't he, of stones crushing people. 00:01:58.660 --> 00:02:01.540 I was watching one of these DIY shows a while back, 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:04.720 and they were trying to create extra space on the ground floor. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:09.240 You know, they wanted to kind of knock a wall through and create a kitchen diner. 00:02:09.480 --> 00:02:13.520 But there was one problem, because there was this pillar in the way. 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:17.120 And the owner of the house wanted to get rid of the pillar, 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:20.040 so he could have this open plan dining area. 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:22.860 But the experts were saying, no, no, you can't touch this pillar. 00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:24.980 It is a load-bearing pillar. 00:02:24.979 --> 00:02:27.519 You can't move this pillar. 00:02:28.419 --> 00:02:30.979 It's the cornerstone of the building. 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:32.439 You can't take it away. 00:02:33.000 --> 00:02:36.319 But when they left for the night and the kind of cameras had gone away, 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:44.379 the amateur DIY enthusiast just took a sledgehammer and worked away at this pillar overnight. 00:02:45.179 --> 00:02:46.500 And he removed it. 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:53.479 The next morning, the crew arrived to see the disaster that had ensued overnight, 00:02:53.680 --> 00:02:58.539 because the whole house had collapsed in on the ground floor. 00:02:58.639 --> 00:03:01.020 The upper floors had just fallen in. 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:04.979 And anything that was on the ground floor had been crushed. 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:08.420 Anything and everything was smashed into pieces. 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:11.439 Fortunately, he'd managed to get out of the house in time. 00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:19.079 And Jesus says, doesn't he, in this parable, that he is like that pillar at Christmas time. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:24.719 In verse 18, he quotes from Psalm 118. 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:31.419 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, the load-bearing pillar. 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:36.120 And everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. 00:03:36.280 --> 00:03:40.680 And when it falls on anyone, it will crush him. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:45.020 He says to the religious leaders, you're trying to get rid of me, 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:50.819 but your whole ministry is built on the cornerstone of my person. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:55.599 The whole building of God's people is about me. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:00.000 So he's talking about stones crushing people's heads. 00:04:00.680 --> 00:04:03.740 He's talking about vineyard owners destroying tenants. 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:07.340 It doesn't feel like the typical Advent message, does it? 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:11.000 All this crushing and all this destroying of people. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:14.560 It's a little bit less Jesus meek and mild, 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:18.920 and a little bit more harsh Jesus, mean and wild, isn't it? 00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:22.939 As we hear Jesus rebuking these leaders, 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:27.439 we have to put ourselves in the picture as well. 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:31.360 He directs these warnings against them, 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:33.500 but Luke tells us, doesn't he, in verse 9, 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:36.860 that he tells the parable to all the people that are there. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:40.120 And notice the words in verse 18. 00:04:41.020 --> 00:04:45.860 Everyone and anyone who falls on this stone, 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:48.520 who tries to pull it out of the building, 00:04:48.980 --> 00:04:50.379 will be crushed by it. 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:55.300 Everyone and anyone who tries to take a sledgehammer to Jesus, 00:04:55.300 --> 00:04:58.240 and remove him from their lives, 00:04:58.340 --> 00:05:01.020 should expect him to crush them. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:04.819 And we hear this, don't we, 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:07.400 and we think, how can Jesus say these things? 00:05:08.780 --> 00:05:12.780 What justifies this sort of harsh language of crushing, 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:14.560 and of destroying? 00:05:15.860 --> 00:05:18.040 How dare Jesus say this to me? 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:22.780 That unless I accept him as Lord of my life, 00:05:22.840 --> 00:05:26.020 as the prime pillar of my life, 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:26.840 and as the world, 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:29.160 the house will come down on me. 00:05:29.240 --> 00:05:31.020 How dare he say that to me? 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:35.180 Well, the parable is told, I think, 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:37.780 and it's designed very cleverly, isn't it, 00:05:37.780 --> 00:05:41.980 to help us to see why Jesus has got every right to say that 00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:44.840 to these people here, and to me. 00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:48.560 Jesus is justified in saying that to me, 00:05:48.719 --> 00:05:51.359 in the same way that the vineyard owner 00:05:51.359 --> 00:05:54.639 is justified in destroying the tenants in the parable. 00:05:55.759 --> 00:05:58.319 The parable draws us in, doesn't it, 00:05:58.359 --> 00:06:00.639 to agree with the vineyard owner, 00:06:00.779 --> 00:06:04.299 and say, it is jolly well right that he destroys them for that. 00:06:05.339 --> 00:06:09.019 It is right that he punishes the tenants 00:06:09.019 --> 00:06:12.639 for mistreating the son that he sends to them. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:15.919 The parable, it draws me out 00:06:15.919 --> 00:06:19.719 to confess that I've got to agree with God 00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:24.659 that it is right that Jesus should crush people 00:06:24.659 --> 00:06:27.399 who reject him, even if that's me. 00:06:28.919 --> 00:06:31.439 Look closely at verse 14, 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:33.959 because I think in verse 14 we see 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:37.639 why the judgments in the passage are justified. 00:06:37.860 --> 00:06:39.979 Look at how they're behaving, these tenants. 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:43.140 Look at what they say, and what they think, 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:44.520 and how they behave. 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:46.879 Verse 14, they say to themselves, 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:51.680 this is the heir, let us kill him, 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:54.439 so the inheritance may be ours. 00:06:56.180 --> 00:06:59.400 That behaviour, and that kind of motivation in them 00:06:59.400 --> 00:07:01.800 is what justifies the terrible judgement 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:04.460 that Jesus pronounces on them, isn't it? 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:07.539 And I think we can see three things here. 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:12.120 Three things is their behaviour, 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:14.239 what they say, what they think, and what they do, 00:07:14.419 --> 00:07:17.199 and it reflects a crazy, arrogant, 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.560 vile response to Jesus, 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:21.439 which in the end, we have to admit, 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:22.560 deserves justice. 00:07:23.039 --> 00:07:25.339 First of all, the tenants deserve their fate, 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:26.479 because number one, 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:29.240 they know who Jesus is. 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:31.740 There is a recognition, 00:07:31.980 --> 00:07:33.840 they know who Jesus is. 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:38.199 How is it that the tenants deserve to be destroyed? 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:42.379 It is because for people who've met Jesus, 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:45.040 particularly the religious leaders of the day, 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:46.980 in their heart of hearts, 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:49.639 they know who he really is. 00:07:50.780 --> 00:07:53.460 They've met him, and they reject him, 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.680 and they're culpable for the knowledge 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:56.759 they have of him. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:08:00.019 The more you know of him, 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:02.079 the more serious it is 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:04.620 not to treat him as he should be treated. 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:06.560 So look at the parable. 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:09.399 As the son comes to the vineyard, 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:12.620 they immediately recognise who he is, 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:13.180 don't they? 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:14.659 Verse 14. 00:08:15.459 --> 00:08:18.800 Ah, this is the heir. 00:08:20.339 --> 00:08:23.819 They know that there is something different about Jesus. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:27.939 Jesus is not just another religious guy, 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:28.199 is he? 00:08:28.219 --> 00:08:29.899 He's not a religious nutcase. 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:33.860 When you look at him properly in the gospel accounts, 00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:35.939 it's not that he's another prophet, 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.100 or another servant of God, 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:40.840 of the vineyard. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:44.399 No, he is infinitely more than that. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:46.919 In the parable, did you see, 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:48.819 there's a sudden upgrade of status, 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:53.379 status with the people that the vineyard owner sends. 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:58.480 The authority is ramped up, isn't it? 00:08:58.540 --> 00:09:04.340 As it goes from servants that are sent by the vineyard owner, 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:05.860 three times, 00:09:06.020 --> 00:09:08.420 to suddenly the owner's son. 00:09:08.419 --> 00:09:12.539 They've kicked out those with lesser authority, 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:16.500 but surely they'll receive the one with equal authority. 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:18.679 The heir, 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:20.500 the son, 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.459 surely they'll respect him, 00:09:22.579 --> 00:09:23.659 the owner thinks. 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:25.139 The owner says, 00:09:25.219 --> 00:09:28.000 I'll send my beloved son to them. 00:09:29.599 --> 00:09:32.419 The word beloved is used in Luke's gospel, 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:34.279 Jesus' baptism, isn't it? 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:35.459 Where God calls out, 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:37.779 this is my beloved son. 00:09:38.839 --> 00:09:40.879 With you I am well pleased, 00:09:40.959 --> 00:09:41.519 he says. 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:44.500 If Jeremiah, 00:09:44.959 --> 00:09:45.639 the prophet, 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:46.480 had been around, 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:47.899 he would have said the same thing 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:49.919 about the religious leaders of Jesus' day, 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:51.959 as he said in his day. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.799 Jeremiah chapter 7, 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:56.000 from the day that your fathers 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:58.179 came out of the land of Egypt to this day, 00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:01.779 I persistently sent all my servants to you, 00:10:01.779 --> 00:10:03.559 my prophets to you, 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:04.579 day after day, 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:07.579 and yet you have not listened to them, 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:09.559 or inclined your ear to them. 00:10:10.459 --> 00:10:13.819 You've been stiff-necked towards them. 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:17.459 But now it is worse than that, 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.079 isn't it? 00:10:19.179 --> 00:10:21.659 Because Jesus is not a mere prophet. 00:10:22.959 --> 00:10:24.699 He is not just a servant. 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:27.679 When we get to the New Testament, 00:10:27.679 --> 00:10:30.000 we see that God has a son 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:33.419 who carries equal authority 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:36.679 and equal status with God. 00:10:37.839 --> 00:10:39.959 The letter to the Hebrews begins, 00:10:40.339 --> 00:10:40.919 long ago, 00:10:41.019 --> 00:10:41.719 at many times, 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:42.579 and in many ways, 00:10:42.679 --> 00:10:44.039 God spoke to our fathers 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:45.319 by the prophets, 00:10:46.219 --> 00:10:47.719 but in these last days 00:10:47.719 --> 00:10:48.879 he has spoken to us 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:50.120 by his son, 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:53.500 whom he appointed the heir of all things, 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:56.339 through whom he created the whole world, 00:10:56.340 --> 00:10:58.540 the son is the one 00:10:58.540 --> 00:11:00.660 who is sent with equal authority 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:03.060 and equal status 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:05.500 to the vineyard owner himself, 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.879 to God himself, 00:11:08.420 --> 00:11:09.519 who Paul says, 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:11.680 all the fullness of deity 00:11:11.680 --> 00:11:13.320 dwells in him bodily, 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.100 in Jesus Christ. 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:18.660 And so there is a shift of authority, 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:19.360 isn't there, 00:11:19.780 --> 00:11:21.480 in the sending of prophets 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.280 and of servants. 00:11:22.280 --> 00:11:24.700 And suddenly there is a sending of a son 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:28.500 and so with the shift in authority 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.680 and status 00:11:29.680 --> 00:11:32.660 comes a shift in consequences, 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:34.259 in rejecting him. 00:11:35.780 --> 00:11:36.080 You know, 00:11:36.140 --> 00:11:39.280 if you bully my son's friends at school, 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:40.580 yeah, 00:11:40.780 --> 00:11:42.420 that will make me unhappy, 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:43.440 that is one thing, 00:11:43.520 --> 00:11:43.920 isn't it? 00:11:44.280 --> 00:11:46.320 But if you bully my son, 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:47.520 that is something else. 00:11:47.780 --> 00:11:49.740 If you reject my son, 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:51.040 that is something else. 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:53.659 And the religious leaders 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:54.860 and the chief priests 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.959 reject him, 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:57.139 not because they doubt 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:59.079 his credentials as this man, 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.779 but in their heart of hearts 00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:02.719 they know who he is. 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:05.019 His teaching 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:06.120 and his miracles, 00:12:06.559 --> 00:12:07.360 his words 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.439 and his works, 00:12:08.959 --> 00:12:10.019 his logic 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:13.039 in dissecting their hypocrisy. 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:14.120 Yes, 00:12:14.240 --> 00:12:15.839 this is the heir. 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:19.080 This is the son 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:20.480 of God. 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:24.280 And so he falls heaviest 00:12:24.280 --> 00:12:26.860 on those who reject him 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.680 and know him most 00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:30.940 for who he really is. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:32.200 And in their heart of hearts 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:33.300 they know who he is, 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:33.920 don't they? 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.120 And so his judgment 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:38.080 is warranted on them. 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:39.900 They know who he is. 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:40.940 That's the first thing. 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:42.379 The second thing is that 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.660 they want to kill him. 00:12:43.659 --> 00:12:46.500 It's the recognition 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.939 and it's the response 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:48.699 towards him, 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.139 isn't it? 00:12:49.439 --> 00:12:50.819 They want to kill him. 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:52.240 Look at verse 14 again. 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.759 This is the heir. 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:56.620 Let us kill him, 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:58.480 they say to themselves. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:01.559 It is the violence 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:03.339 of the response 00:13:03.339 --> 00:13:04.199 to Jesus. 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.799 It's interesting in the passage. 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:07.459 Did you notice 00:13:07.459 --> 00:13:08.399 as the parable 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:09.339 kind of builds up, 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:10.839 there is an increase 00:13:10.839 --> 00:13:11.600 in authority 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.820 of the servants 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:14.600 that the owner 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.840 sends to the vineyard, 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:16.420 isn't there? 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.100 And suddenly 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:18.920 the status 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:19.759 and authority 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:21.320 ramps up 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:22.060 when the son 00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:22.700 is sent. 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:25.480 But the response 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:27.259 is also ramped up 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.659 as the authority 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.360 increases. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.399 The violence 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:33.300 and the hatred 00:13:33.300 --> 00:13:34.560 towards those 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.200 who are sent 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:36.300 ramps up. 00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:38.180 And the severity 00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:39.220 of the response 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.019 ramps up, 00:13:40.060 --> 00:13:40.560 doesn't it? 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.939 Suddenly, 00:13:42.199 --> 00:13:43.319 when the heir, 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:44.459 the son, 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:45.159 is sent, 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:46.859 the violence 00:13:46.859 --> 00:13:47.899 ramps up too. 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:48.459 You see, 00:13:48.579 --> 00:13:49.399 with the previous 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.000 servants, 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:50.919 they are beaten 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:53.019 and they are humiliated, 00:13:53.119 --> 00:13:53.979 which is awful. 00:13:54.859 --> 00:13:56.199 But with the son, 00:13:56.359 --> 00:13:57.379 it is murder. 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:01.459 True hostility 00:14:01.459 --> 00:14:04.139 towards the vineyard owner 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.619 is exposed 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:08.399 when he is present. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:10.960 When the son 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:11.659 appears. 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:14.000 In a much clearer 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.799 way than it was 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:15.379 before. 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.480 The violence 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.379 from the tenants 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.480 and the killing 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.259 and the peak 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:22.000 expression 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.139 of human rebellion 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.200 against God 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:25.460 is reserved 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:27.740 for the son. 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.639 He is the one 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.799 who uniquely 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:33.539 attracts 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:35.220 hidden rebellion 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:36.179 against God. 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.360 He is the one 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:39.500 who arouses 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:41.159 the rebellion 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:42.299 of the human heart 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.600 like nobody else 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.600 can and does. 00:14:45.699 --> 00:14:46.600 That is what happens 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:47.299 in the nativity 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:47.939 narratives, 00:14:48.019 --> 00:14:48.279 isn't it? 00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:48.840 Just think of 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:49.699 Matthew's gospel. 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.899 What is the overwhelming 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:52.559 atmosphere in Bethlehem 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.779 just after Jesus 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.460 is born? 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:56.419 It is violence. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:58.379 As Herod's 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.139 soldiers 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.360 ransack 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.240 every home 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.279 with a two 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:02.879 year old boy 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.459 or younger. 00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:04.959 Herod goes 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:05.519 on the war 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:05.899 path. 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:07.000 Jesus comes 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.719 into the world 00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:08.959 and the rebellion 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:10.039 of human hearts 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:11.120 rears its ugly 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:11.459 head, 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:12.059 doesn't it? 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.519 And Herod 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.500 baits for Jesus' 00:15:14.719 --> 00:15:15.419 blood right 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:16.099 from the moment 00:15:16.099 --> 00:15:16.659 he enters 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.559 into the world. 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.860 As the true 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.740 light comes 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.659 into the world, 00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:23.679 not just those 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.539 who have spoken 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.339 about the light 00:15:25.339 --> 00:15:25.980 before his 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.399 coming, 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:27.419 but as the 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:28.279 light himself 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:28.759 comes, 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.219 then the 00:15:29.219 --> 00:15:29.699 darkness 00:15:29.699 --> 00:15:30.620 tries to 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.699 resist him 00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:33.059 most of all. 00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:35.419 And so when 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:36.740 Jesus is killed 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.399 at his crucifixion, 00:15:38.479 --> 00:15:39.419 when the vineyard 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:40.159 owners do 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.279 crucify him, 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:42.620 he doesn't just 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.639 die as a 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.860 co-victim 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.240 with other 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.279 human beings. 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.259 There is a 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.759 sense that he 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.379 does that, 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:50.819 but it is much 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.679 more than that. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.759 It's not that 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.799 he just faces 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.639 the general 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.399 wickedness 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.039 of the world 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.679 that we all 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.679 experience and 00:15:58.679 --> 00:15:59.139 share. 00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:00.720 He doesn't 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.379 just fall 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.139 victim to 00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.959 the same 00:16:02.959 --> 00:16:03.759 frustrations 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.519 exactly, 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.199 and the same 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:07.120 evils that we 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.000 all suffer 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.279 universally in 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:09.879 this world. 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:11.919 No, 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:12.899 he dies 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.860 as the 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.519 victim 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:16.399 of all 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:17.199 evil and 00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:17.799 rebellion in 00:16:17.799 --> 00:16:18.279 the world. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:18.360 God. 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.419 He dies 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.259 as the 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.500 lightning rod 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:24.159 of all 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:25.120 of humanity's 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.439 hatred 00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:26.399 towards God. 00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.759 He dies 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.199 and he 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:29.939 suffers like 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:31.179 no one else 00:16:31.179 --> 00:16:31.759 suffers and 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.240 dies. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:33.339 He is 00:16:33.339 --> 00:16:34.220 murdered and 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.039 he is murdered 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.860 as the most 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.879 hated man 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.220 ever. 00:16:38.699 --> 00:16:39.500 He is more 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.120 hated than 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.860 anyone has 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.240 been. 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.399 Because he 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:43.919 is the 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.459 son. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:46.600 he is the 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.160 heir. 00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:49.519 He is the 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.040 one, isn't 00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:50.500 he, who 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:52.000 threatens our 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.320 pride most. 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.720 He is the 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.280 one who 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:57.440 threatens our 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.200 sense of 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.000 entitlement 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.280 most. 00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:02.360 He is the 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:02.780 one who 00:17:02.780 --> 00:17:03.560 threatens our 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.420 delusions of 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.519 grandeur most. 00:17:05.519 --> 00:17:08.079 so he is 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:08.960 justified in 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.579 his judgment 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.160 because they 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:10.639 know who 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:11.900 he is and 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.559 they want to 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.200 kill him. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.879 And thirdly, 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:15.859 they want what 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.799 belongs to 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.440 him, don't 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:17.740 they? 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.059 There is 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.200 violence and 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:20.579 there is a 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:22.460 vanity about 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:24.039 the vineyard 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.079 tenants. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.579 And those two 00:17:26.579 --> 00:17:26.940 things are 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.319 connected. 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:27.779 There is 00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.599 violence because 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.339 there is this 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:30.660 vain ambition 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.319 of what they 00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.920 might get by 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.579 killing him. 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:35.059 In verse 14, 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.319 let's kill 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.799 him so that 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:38.639 the inheritance 00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:39.980 may be ours. 00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:42.519 And it is 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.680 ridiculous really, 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.259 isn't it, what 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:44.700 they are trying 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.299 to do. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.920 What drives the 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.819 religious leaders 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.579 of the day to 00:17:48.579 --> 00:17:49.819 murder Jesus is 00:17:49.819 --> 00:17:51.200 this fantasy that 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.920 they have that 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:53.720 if they can get 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.460 rid of Jesus, 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.319 if they can get 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:56.079 rid of the 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:57.759 heir and the 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.639 son of God 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.379 and the king 00:17:59.379 --> 00:17:59.960 of the kingdom, 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:01.420 they can carry 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.039 on being the 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.759 most important 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.839 people in their 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.500 lives and in 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.099 the kingdom that 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:05.339 they have 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:05.980 set up around 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:06.500 themselves. 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:07.599 They can be the 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.279 most important 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.000 people in the 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:09.579 vineyard. 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.339 And life can 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:11.959 go on as 00:18:11.959 --> 00:18:12.480 before. 00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:14.199 They can be 00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:15.079 the ones with 00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:16.299 the crowns on 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.079 their head that 00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:18.000 he should have 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.740 on his head. 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.539 And that 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:22.019 thirst for power 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.559 makes them 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.599 utterly stupid, 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.519 doesn't it? 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.639 As if they 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.480 could do that. 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.579 In their 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.319 culture, often 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.480 vineyards and 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.240 plots of land 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:32.819 would have been 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:34.319 letted out to 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.939 tenants just 00:18:34.939 --> 00:18:35.379 like in the 00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:36.159 parable and 00:18:36.159 --> 00:18:37.339 the owner may 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:37.879 have been at 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:38.279 a bit of a 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.899 distance and 00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:39.500 actually Jesus 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.059 says that, 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:40.399 doesn't he? 00:18:40.439 --> 00:18:41.779 The owner went 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.240 to be in 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.220 another country 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.619 for a long 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.399 time in verse 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:45.819 nine. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.000 And so there 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.839 is this feeling 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:50.480 isn't there of 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.740 distance from 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.619 accountability, 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.619 distance from 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.919 culpability for 00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:57.519 what they are 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:59.299 doing to the 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.139 servants and to 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:00.740 the son. 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:02.859 they maybe have 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.620 this fantasy, 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.160 don't they, 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.880 that the 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.680 vineyard owner 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.779 won't find out, 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.819 the vineyard owner 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:10.140 can't see and he 00:19:10.140 --> 00:19:11.039 doesn't care what 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:13.059 we're doing and 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.980 he'll forget about 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.859 the vineyard and 00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:16.700 he'll just leave it 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.440 to us if we can 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.220 get rid of Jesus. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.559 But of course 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.259 that's totally 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:22.819 ridiculous, 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.259 isn't it? 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.779 And as we 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.319 listen to the 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:26.279 parable, we know 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.279 that just cannot 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:29.680 happen because 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.480 they've killed 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.420 the son. 00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:33.799 And of course 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.740 the vineyard owner 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.320 is going to do 00:19:35.320 --> 00:19:36.039 something about 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.740 that, isn't he? 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.180 But isn't that 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.440 the arrogant myth 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.440 that we tend to 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.160 believe that is 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.100 a kind of truth? 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:46.840 That we can keep 00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:49.279 our agenda and 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.160 still get rid of 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.279 Jesus, that we 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.340 can pull out the 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:54.320 cornerstone and 00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:55.279 we can still rule 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.140 in God's house. 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:58.080 And that somehow 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:59.080 he'll forget about 00:19:59.080 --> 00:19:59.460 that. 00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:01.240 That he'll just 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.200 let us inherit 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:03.120 the earth anyway. 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.000 And that he's not 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.960 bothered about his 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.580 son. 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.640 That if we kill 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.340 him off, life 00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:10.000 will go on as 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.460 before. 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.240 But that is 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.019 ridiculous, isn't 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.259 it? 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:15.360 Because in our 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.120 heart of hearts, 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.140 when we spend any 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:17.799 time with the 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:20.000 Lord Jesus, we 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.299 know who he is. 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.600 And we know 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.900 how he threatens 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.000 our pride because 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:28.240 his authority is 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.480 the same authority 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.599 as God himself. 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.839 That he comes 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.900 into the world as 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:35.220 God, claiming what 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.799 is his. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.559 As the owner of 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.240 the vineyard. 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.259 He is the 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.480 beloved son, as 00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.599 John says in that 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.460 famous verse. 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:45.440 He is God's one 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.660 and only son. 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.740 The one in whom 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.339 he is well 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:49.779 pleased. 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.519 And so it is 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.400 ridiculous, isn't 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:51.680 it? 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:53.400 That we think that 00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.160 we can pull him 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:55.580 out and that we 00:20:55.580 --> 00:20:56.440 can kill him off 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.620 and just carry on 00:20:57.620 --> 00:20:58.180 as before. 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.259 It's interesting, 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.540 in the Hebrew 00:21:02.540 --> 00:21:03.420 language, the 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:05.700 word stone and 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:07.060 the word son is 00:21:07.060 --> 00:21:07.960 very, very similar 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.400 actually. 00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:10.220 The word stone is 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.540 the word eben. 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.480 It's an awful 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.500 pronunciation, but 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.180 eben. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.440 And the word son 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.259 is ben. 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.240 Very similar, 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:17.720 aren't they? 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:18.880 Stone and son. 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.500 Apparently in the 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.320 siege of Jerusalem 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:24.399 in 70 AD, that 00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:24.879 the Romans 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.720 surrounded the 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.220 city, didn't 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.399 they? 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:27.240 History tells us. 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.679 And they sieged 00:21:28.679 --> 00:21:29.559 Jerusalem and 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.379 they would hurl 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:31.079 these great big 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:32.799 stones over the 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.559 wall to kind of 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.299 get the people 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.619 to just surrender. 00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:37.259 And as they 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.099 hurled these 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:38.799 stones over, 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:39.659 they would 00:21:39.659 --> 00:21:41.179 shout, the 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:42.139 sun is coming. 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:43.119 Strange. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.240 I think they 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.039 saw the link 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.179 between stone and 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:46.419 sun. 00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:46.960 I don't know 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.480 why they did it, 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.339 but maybe that's 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:48.639 why. 00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:50.339 They would 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.019 shout that out, 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.119 ho, hyorios, 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.779 er-h-tai, the 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.700 sun is coming. 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.179 Get your heads 00:21:56.179 --> 00:21:56.599 down. 00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.859 And that is the 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:01.039 jolt of this 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.839 parable, isn't it, 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:02.460 for us in 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:02.779 Advent. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.399 It's another side 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.099 of Advent, that 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:07.179 as Jesus comes, 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:08.480 it is as if God 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.759 is hurling a 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:11.639 stone over the 00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:13.319 wall into the 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:13.779 world. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.039 And that as 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.439 the light of the 00:22:17.439 --> 00:22:18.720 world comes, it 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.619 reveals a dark 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.439 side in us. 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:23.039 that the sun is 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:24.779 flung over the 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.559 walls into our 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.120 lives and 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:27.200 everyone and 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:27.860 anyone who 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.759 rejects him 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:30.039 will be crushed 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.640 by him. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.019 Let me close 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.740 just by looking 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.519 at that second 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.100 passage in Acts. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.080 Let's just look 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:38.400 there. 00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:39.940 In Acts, it's 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.340 kind of the 00:22:40.340 --> 00:22:41.559 sequel to Luke's 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.160 gospel, isn't 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.400 it? 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.180 So Luke 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.279 writes Acts. 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.140 And in Acts 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.720 4, there's a 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.360 really similar 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:47.920 scene. 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:50.019 as Peter, 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.640 Jesus' 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.300 apostle, 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:54.019 continues Jesus' 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.039 ministry in a 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.460 way, doesn't 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:55.720 he? 00:22:56.100 --> 00:22:56.900 And he's there 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.840 facing off against 00:22:57.840 --> 00:22:58.759 the same religious 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.820 leaders that Jesus 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:01.700 rebuked in Acts 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.160 4. 00:23:03.800 --> 00:23:04.680 There's been a 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.660 lame beggar that's 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.400 just been healed 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:06.900 and they're 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:07.960 questioning them 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.660 about how they've 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:10.100 done that and 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.880 under whose 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:11.620 authority they've 00:23:11.620 --> 00:23:11.960 done that. 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.500 And if you look 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.279 at verse 10, 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:15.140 he says, 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:17.780 let it be known 00:23:17.780 --> 00:23:18.460 to you that it's 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.180 by the name of 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.120 Jesus Christ of 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:22.460 Nazareth, whom 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.440 you crucified, 00:23:24.540 --> 00:23:25.759 but whom God 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.680 raised from the 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:28.320 dead, that this 00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:29.320 man stands before 00:23:29.320 --> 00:23:30.000 you now. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.120 And right after 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:32.560 that, doesn't 00:23:32.560 --> 00:23:33.540 he, he quotes 00:23:33.540 --> 00:23:34.680 the same verse 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.200 from Psalm 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:36.660 118 that Jesus 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:38.240 quotes back in 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.960 Luke 20. 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:39.520 Do you see? 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:41.359 Jesus is the 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.299 stone that 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:44.539 was rejected 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:46.200 by you, the 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.039 builders, which 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.980 has become the 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.900 cornerstone. 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.700 His point in 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:53.119 Acts 4 is that 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:53.759 after the 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.180 resurrection of 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.079 Jesus, it has 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.940 now become 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:58.740 abundantly obvious 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.599 and clear that 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.480 those who have 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.579 rejected and did 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.639 reject Jesus have 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:04.420 made a massive 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.039 mistake. 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.579 The rejected 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:09.420 stone has 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.519 been proven to 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:10.920 be the 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:13.019 cornerstone on 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.740 which all of 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.480 God's kingdom is 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:14.840 built. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.300 And so it's an 00:24:17.300 --> 00:24:18.240 indictment upon 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.100 them, isn't it, 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.820 that they've 00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:22.080 recognised him and 00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:22.820 responded in 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:23.720 violence and in 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.560 vain arrogance, 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.480 and they have 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.420 killed the 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.259 cornerstone. 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.200 And they realise 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:30.779 that now. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.400 But the amazing 00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:34.580 thing about Peter's 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:35.300 sermon here is 00:24:35.300 --> 00:24:36.019 that instead of 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.940 preaching judgment, 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.779 and talking about 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:40.660 crushing and 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:41.759 destroying, he 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.399 offers another 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.399 lifeline, doesn't 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:43.660 he? 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:45.619 Because he says 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.559 in verse 12, 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:49.259 salvation, not 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.899 judgment, salvation 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:52.379 is found in no one 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:54.099 else, for there is 00:24:54.099 --> 00:24:55.519 no other name under 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.539 heaven given to 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:58.480 mankind by which 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.859 we must be saved. 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.419 salvation. 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:03.059 And this is the 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:04.639 wonderful irony, isn't 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.379 it, of God's 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:05.899 grace. 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:09.479 Actually, Christmas 00:25:09.479 --> 00:25:10.659 and Advent 00:25:10.659 --> 00:25:13.059 shout to us the 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:14.419 wonder of God's 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:14.839 grace. 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.599 And Peter 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:18.879 shouts here of 00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.879 God's grace to 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:21.099 men and women who 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:22.259 have killed the 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:24.240 cornerstone, who 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.299 deserve for him to 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:25.959 fall on their 00:25:25.959 --> 00:25:26.339 heads. 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:28.419 Christ, the 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:29.659 one they have 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:31.699 killed is the 00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.500 one who now 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.079 offers them 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.539 life. 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:36.039 The one they 00:25:36.039 --> 00:25:37.000 have oppressed 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.959 is the one who 00:25:38.959 --> 00:25:39.899 now offers them 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.579 freedom. 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.599 Freedom from the 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.119 guilt of what 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:43.599 they've done. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.899 He gives life to 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:48.879 the dead, the 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.879 very people who 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.779 have killed him. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:53.379 That is grace, 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.079 isn't it? 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:56.579 that the one 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:58.359 that you can go 00:25:58.359 --> 00:26:00.019 to for life is 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.000 the very one that 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.779 we have killed. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.980 And the one that 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:05.339 we can go to for 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:07.480 in our darkness is 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.419 the light that we've 00:26:08.419 --> 00:26:09.059 resisted. 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.740 And that is the 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:13.059 wonder of 00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.539 Advent. 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.119 That is the 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:15.779 wonder of God's 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.119 grace. 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.279 Let's pray. 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:18.379 Amen.