Welcome to episode 80 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Mark, covering chapter 12:1-17.  The series is called “Get in, buckle up, and hold on!”  Today, we discuss: 

• The parable of the vineyard (vv. 1-12) 
• The confrontation over taxes (vv. 13-17) 

Key takeaways: 

• The parable of the vineyard is about authority and ownership. Who has authority over vineyard?  The owner or the tenants?  Who owns the vineyard? 
• This is the first time in which Jesus tells a parable with the intent of his hearers, the religious leaders, understanding it. 
• The vineyard, in this case, the community of God’s people, will be taken from Israels’s religious leaders and will be placed under new leadership (Jesus and the apostles). 
• There are realms of authority for both the government and God, and allegiance to one does not necessarily mean disloyalty to the other. 
• Jesus affirmed the legitimacy of government and taxation. 

Quotable: 

• The absurdity of the actions taken by the vineyard owner demonstrates the indescribable lengths God has gone to offer people eternal salvation.  

Application: 

• Just like the vineyard owner sent his only son to the tenants, God continues to send His Son to those who reject Him.  God does this because He desires that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 
• Rejection of the messengers and the son bring judgment on the tenants.  In the same way, rejection of Jesus brings judgment as well. 
• The passage describes Jesus as a man of integrity because he:  Is not swayed by human opinion, he does not show favoritism, and he teaches the way of God truthfully.  These are great traits for anyone who wants to live a life of integrity. 
• Things made in the image of this world belong to this world.  Things made in the image of God belong to Him.  Since we are made in His image, we are His and we owe Him everything. 

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