Lessons from the Parable of the Wicked Servant
Explore the rich teachings in the Parable of the Wicked Servant from Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Discover the significance of parables in Jesus' teachings and the lessons for youths in understanding and obeying God's word. Reflect on the importance of straightforward gospel messages and the consequences of disobedience, as illustrated in the parables shared by Christ.
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Youth Search the Scriptures Lesson 51 TOPIC: THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED SERVANT This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
TEXT: Mathew 21:28-46; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19 MEMORY VERSE And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him and beat him and sent him away empty (Mark 12:2,3) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
INTRODUCTION A parable is a story that teaches morals and are earthly sayings with heavenly meanings. Christ demonstrated during His earthly ministry that he was the greatest Teacher; this was evident in the various ways he taught the people using parables. Our Lord Jesus Christ used many parables to give life-enriching messages to enhance the understanding of His audience. Christ s method was so effective that even the officers sent to arrest Him had this to say, Never man speak like him (John 7:46).
REASONS CHRIST USED PARABLES AND LESSON TO LEARN Reasons: 1. Jesus parables were quite simple straightforward and life changing. 2. He used most of these parables to teach many important aspects of the Kingdom life. 3. To reveal deep truths of heaven, to unravel heavenly mysteries. 4. To confound the wisdom of the earthly wise. Lessons: Christ s message was simple and clear so, youths and youth ministers should ensure that they make the gospel message straight and simple so that all the hearers may have the opportunity to understand and be led to Christ.
The study today is divided into three areas: TheParable of the Two Sons (Mathew 21:28-32) The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Mathew 21:33- 34) The Pitiable Response of the Chief Priests and Scribes (Mathew 21:45,46)
The parable of the two sons represented two kind of youths, the obedient son and the disobedient son. The son who said I go sir and went not represented the Scribes and Pharisees who professed to know God but never obeyed him. The son who said I will not but repented and went represented the publican and the sinners. THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS Some youths speak good words and make fair promises but do not go further or follow through with it, they are like the first son. Mathew 21:28-32; Luke 15:11- 32;Ezekiel 18:21,22; John 4:34 According to James 1:22, God s commandments to us is to be doers of His words and not hearers only. God demands unconditional and prompt obedience to His word. The response of believing youths to God s word should be JUST OBEY Preaching the gospel is the primary responsibility of every Christian youth because sinners can die anytime and go to hell also, the night comes when no man can work John 9:4
The Lord used the imagery of the vineyard in this parable (Matt 21:33) while He spoke directly to the children of Israel and their leaders. The vineyard represents the children of Israel, and the householder represents God. The hedge around the vineyard represents the law, that is the statutes, and the ordinances God gave to the children of Israel. The law accounts for their distinctiveness among other nations. The husbandmen were the judges, chief priests and elders God put in charge of the Israelites. But the leaders did not lead the people rightly. Christ clearly shows the persecution of heaven- recognized servants, their beating by degenerated Israel. THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN Mathew 21:33-44; Mark 12;1-12; Luke 20:9-18 Right from the time of the kings the Israelites had always accepted the false prophets while they rejected the true messengers from God (2 Chro 24:20,21).
THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN CONTD. The uniform testimony of the scriptures is that what the backslidden Israel did will be repeated by the backslidden apostate youths in the Church at the close of the day (Mathew 24:11,12; 2 Timothy 4:3,4 ) When your heart becomes critical against God s word and against those who teach it, it is a sign of backsliding and degeneration. The true believers as we see in the old and new testament although persecuted, abused, stoned, misused and even killed did not abandon their duty post. The attitude of Christian youths to persecution like the song writer should be I ll be a true soldier I ll die at my post . As believing youths we should resist temptation, endure trials and stand for Christ even in the face of fierce opposition to our faith. In Matthew 21:37-39, the Lord talks about Himself and His position as the rejected Son. He knew that the people standing before Him would persecute Him, but with calmness he kept on the mission the Father gave him. This is a great lesson for us as Christian youths (Matthew 10:28).
THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED HUSBANDMEN CONTD Youths who reject the doctrines of the word of God on restitution, sanctification, divorce and remarriage etc. should beware lest the rock of offence fall upon them.(Matt 21:42-44) God wanted the Heir of all things to be honored and heeded. But Israel would not. they plotted, schemed and killed the Son of God. Those who reject the ministers of the gospel should beware lest they reject the fountain from where the Lord satisfies their thirst. Those who hold on to their sin till the judgement day the stone shall fall on them and grind them to powder. They will suffer eternally in hell. Sinners and backsliders must turn to the Lord today, fall on this stone and be broken .
THE PITIABLE RESPONSE OF THE CHIEF PRIEST AND SCRIBES Mathew 21:45,46; Luke 20:19; 2 Kings 17:14; Nehemiah 9:16,17; Jeremiah 19:15; Hebrews 3:13; 2 Timothy 4:3 The reaction of the chief priests and Scribes depicts the pitiable condition of hardened sinning youths. Instead of turning from their evil ways, they were infuriated and sought for a way to kill Christ (Luke 20:19) They did not allow the Saviour s message to effect the necessary transformation in their lives. Hardened sinners and backsliders still act like the chief priests and Scribes. Although they are exposed to the undiluted word of God, they reject faithful preachers and their message which can save their souls. Youths who persecute and speak evil of God s ministers or servants because of their stand for righteousness cannot escape God s judgement except they repent.
IN SUMMARY Christian youths are to respond to God s word with immediate obedience like the obedient son. We should take preaching the gospel as an urgent task because souls are dying and going to hell. We must guard our hearts as believing youths so that we do not backslide and degenerate into criticizing God s word and His teachers. Our attitude as Chistian youths in face of persecution like the true believers of old is to endure and stand for Christ to the end. We should always maintain a positive disposition any time we hear God s word. The Lord wants us to be sincere and accept His correction and rebuke. Sinning youths should respond to God s word by coming to him in sincere repentance and backsliders should return for full restoration.
QUESTIONS 1. Mention reasons Christ used parables in His teachings and what lessons can Christian youths draw from it? 2. What should be the response of believing youths to God s word? 3. Why is every believer expected to engage in soul-winning now? 4. In the parable of the householder, what do vineyard, householder, hedge and the husbandmen represent? 5. What should be the attitude of Christian youths to persecution? 6. What should be the attitude of sinning and backslidden youths to God s word?
REFERENCES Deeper Christian Life Ministry, 2022, Youth Search the Scriptures - Volume 1 Picture of two men in slide 1&2, Unknown Author, Licensed under CC BY SA.
