In This Issue

• THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED
• LOOKING UNTO JESUS
• DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER
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THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED

Jesus spoke a parable to the chief priests, scribes and elders of Israel: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away” (Mark 12:1-12).

Usually, those who were not seeking after the truth missed the point of Jesus’ parables. But in this case, the religious leaders were very much aware that Jesus had them and their predecessors in mind when He told this parable. Isaiah had sung an inspired song in Isaiah, chapter 5 that is similar in many ways to the parable Jesus told. The vineyard represented the Israelite people. The prophet noted the numerous things God had done for them, yet, when He looked for appropriate fruit, He found nothing but wild grapes. Jesus’ parable also looks at God’s people as a vineyard, with their leaders as the vinedressers. God had sent numerous prophets to them but most of those prophets had been rejected, abused, and in many cases, killed. Finally, in the end of the Old Testament age, God had sent His Son. He too was rejected by the leaders of Israel. Within three days of the time Jesus told this parable, the chief priests and elders of the Jews would cause Him to be put to death.

Their rejection of God’s messengers led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish economy and the opening of a door of opportunity for the Gentiles. We should realize, however, that their rejection of Jesus did not take God by surprise. The psalmist had foretold it in Psalm 118:22-23: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing: it is marvelous in our eyes.”

--Clarence R. Johnson

LOOKING UNTO JESUS

Hebrews 12 verse 1 tells us to lay aside every weight, every distraction and every hinderance to our spiritual progress. We must put away the sin which so easily besets us. In order to finish our course, we must not let these things drag us down and wear us out. In connection with this, verse2 says, "Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." We are to look to Jesus as the source of our salvation, and the finisher of our salvation. We are to look to Him as our example in how to run the race. So, what are some things which we can specifically learn from Jesus?

Jesus character is perfect. Because of His perfect character, obeying God even unto death; He is qualified to be our example in all things (1 Pet. 2:21-23). We are to look to Him as the standard, the "measure" of 'fullness" of thought, word and deed (Eph. 4:13). Do you look to Him as the pattern? Or do you say things that Jesus would frown upon? Do you act in ways that imitate Christ? Or do you go it on your own? Jesus knew who He was (John 10:30; 14:9; Mt. 16:16). He knew that He was sent by the Father and had come to do the Father's will (John 5:19, 30). Do you know who you are? Can you say with Christ that you seek not your own will, but the will of the Father? We are children of God (John 3:3-8; 1 John 3:1ff), that is if we are in Christ. If you have been born again, and desire to be claimed by Him; then know who you are and act as His children should.

Jesus knew the glory of heaven, for He had been there (John 17:1-5). If you could just catch a glimpse of the glory above, God's greatness, the angels in holy array - what an advantage you would have in facing sin and temptation! What strength you would have to endure the difficulties and challenges of this life! But, dear child of God, did you know that you can catch a peek at heaven? Just read Revelation 21-22! When you lock this in your heart, then you will find strength to follow in the steps of the Savior.

Jesus knew that the Father loves Him (John 15:10). He also knew how to remain in the love of the Father. Do you know that God loves you? Do you know that you have a Father in heaven who knows your name, sees what is happening in your life, and who cares for you (Heb. 4:13; John 3:16; 1 Pet. 5:6)? Think about that for a moment. Are you lonely? Discouraged? Do you feel forgotten by others or overlooked? There is One in heaven who never overlooks. He sends you the sunshine and the rain (Matt. 5:45). He takes care of your necessities (Matt. 6:25-34). But, you say you have money troubles, sickness, or other difficulties - does that mean God does not care? No. Rather, God knows that our greatest need is to learn to look to Him, to exercise our faith and grow in our appreciation of His love and His guidance (Mt. 6:30). The difficulties you face are designed to teach you to look to Him. A good father does not spoil his child. This is why our Father in heaven seeks our spiritual and eternal wellbeing first, above the physical. As the child grows and learns to understand the parents, so we in time will better understand our Father in heaven. But for now, know that He loves you. Keep yourself in His love.

Jesus knew that sin was wrong (1 John 3:8). In fact, He came in order to destroy sin. He is our Advocate, so that we may put away sin from our lives (1 John 2:1). Sadly, too many of us seem to lean on the Advocate, rather than trying to imitate Him. Yes, He is there to help us and forgive us - but do not use that as an excuse to continue in sin. Learn to do better. Grow up in Christ. Be strengthened in your love, your character, your faithfulness. When you stumble, He is there for you - but do not neglect correcting sin. Know that sin is wrong, and those who practice it and continue in it will not please the Lord (1 John 3:7-8). Jesus knew to keep His priorities straight (Matt. 6:33). He put God first in all things. Do we do that? Or do we let things hinder us from reading the Bible, praying to God, assembling with the saints, encouraging the sick, strengthening the spiritually weak? Do you care about these things?
Do you care about your brethren who need you? Do you care about God who purchased you with a great price? Jesus was very busy, but never was he too busy to put God first. How about you?

Jesus could see the end from the beginning (John 14:1-3). Too often, we do not look beyond the moment and what we want right now. We make mistakes and suffer the consequences. When we suffer, we may realize dimly that we should make some changes, but as soon as we have a little relief. - we return to "business as usual." Do we consider that living in such a shortsighted way has eternal consequences? Know you not that the willful, negligent and careless will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Heb. 2:1; 10:26)? Friends, think long term. See what is coming down the road. Be prepared for what is to come.

Do you really want to overcome sin? If you do, you will give the effort to be more like Jesus. Do not measure yourself by what you see in others - this is foolish and sinful to do (2 Cor. 10:12). There will always be those that we can say "I do better than they" about. But others are not our standard. The perfect, sinless One - Jesus Christ is our standard. How do you measure up compared to Him? Yes, Jesus sets a high standard. But with Him as our standard, we will always know what we need to correct and to strive for. Looking to Jesus does not excuse our sins and short comings, though we can find grace to help in times of need. Other standards allow us to deceive ourselves, to justify our faults and sins - But Jesus will not allow this. Looking to Him as our standard means we must continue to be honest and open to the Truth, to confess and forsake our sin (1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13). Do you look to Jesus? He is the author and perfecter of our faith. If you let Him be the source and origin of your faith, then He is able also to complete it: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). Are you looking unto Jesus?.

--Douglas W. Hill, Bible Talk, July 11, 2004

DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER

I've never made a fortune
And it's probably too late now,
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's road
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
and I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Don't have a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going's tough.
But I got three kids that love me
And that makes me rich enough.

I just thank God for his blessings,
And the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
There were times when things went wrong
And my faith got a little thin, 
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
And the sun peeked through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe
About the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

And if God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
To help another bear his load
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed. 

©1970 by John Paul Moore

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