Why does the lesson manual avoid certain teachings of the Savior? Christ is teaching that in the resurrection, men and women will not be in a married state. In Luke 20:34-36, Jesus taught that the redeemed “…neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die anymore: for they are equal unto the angels: and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” Nowhere in the Old Testament or the New Testament does it speak of eternal marriage or sealing for time and eternity.

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When confronted by the religious leaders who were questioning His right and authority, Jesus tells them The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen.  It’s a shame that the lesson manual omits this parable – but I can see why!  It describes servants as prophets – who were sent throughout history to the nation of Israel.  One after another they were killed, until no more prophets were sent.  Then, finally “his son” was sent and they killed Him too.  Scripture is clear that men are no more needed as prophets because Christ is our Eternal Prophet – the Only One we need.  I think this parable is a powerful picture for the story and mission of Christ.  It begins in Mathew 21:33-44  I will fill in meaning as I read, “Hear another parable: There was a certain householder (God), which planted a vineyard (the earth and it’s people), and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower (so people could watch for enemies), and let it out to husbandmen (stewards who were suppose to take care of it), and went into a far country (heaven).  And when the time of the fruit (harvest time) drew near, he sent his servants (prophets) to the husbandmen (the Jewish religious leaders), that they might receive the fruits of it.  And the husbandmen (God) took his servants (the prophets), and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.  Again, he sent other servants (prophets) more than the first: and they (the wicked husbandmen) did unto them likewise.  But last of all (no more prophets) he sent unto them his son (Christ), saying, They will reverence my son.  But when the husbandmen saw the son (this is Jesus telling these religious leaders their very hearts as He now stands before them), they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.  And they caught him (outside Gethsemane), and cast him out of the vineyard (to Golgatha which was outside the city walls), and slew him (crucified Him).”  Now, as Jesus finishes, He asks the big question this parable has been leading up to: “When the lord (Christ) therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?”  The answer: “They (the chief priests and elders) say unto him (Jesus), He will miserably destroy those wicked men (in 70 AD Titus and the Romans destroyed Jerusalem), and let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen (the Gentiles), which shall render him the fruits in their season (will bring souls to Him).  Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures (Psalm 118:22-23), The stone (Christ) which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner (the cornerstone): this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?  Therefore say I unto you (Jewish religious leaders), The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation (the Gentiles) bringing forth the fruits thereof (the harvest of souls).”  And then Jesus wraps up the teaching with one of the most profound words to these religious men, and to us.  “And whosoever shall fall on the stone (Christ) shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”   In Isaiah 8:14-15 the Messiah is referred to as the Rock or stone.  He is a “stone of stumbling and a rock of offense” to unbelievers. In fact, all through Scripture, He is known as the Rock – the stone cut out