11.4 Christ’s Parable of the Vineyard
The Greatest Love—God’s Ultimate Sacrifice

Read Matthew 21:33–39 with the question from Isaiah 5:4 in mind. What more could God do than what He has already done?

The parable in Matthew 21:33–39 is a direct continuation of the message from Isaiah 5:4: “What more could be done for my vineyard that I have not already done?” God had provided everything for His people, yet instead of bearing faithful fruit, they rejected Him—even to the point of killing His own Son.

This story reveals the patient love of God. He sent His prophets to bring His people back, yet they were beaten and killed. Finally, He sent His Son in the hope that they would honor Him. But they crucified Him—a shocking revelation of human rebellion against God’s love.

What More Could God Have Done?
The cross answers this question definitively: nothing. God held nothing back. He could have used His power to immediately destroy evil—but then genuine love would not have been possible. Instead, He chose the path of suffering to fully reveal His nature.

1. The Cross as the Ultimate Demonstration of Justice and Love

   • Justice: Sin has consequences, yet Christ took upon Himself the penalty (Rom 3:25–26).

   • Love: God gave His own Son for a rebellious world (John 3:16; Rom 5:8).

2. God Suffers with Us

   • The cosmic conflict causes suffering, yet no one suffers more than God Himself.

   • The cross shows us not only God’s love but also His pain.

3. Our Responsibility

   • God has done everything to save us—now it is up to us to accept His invitation.

   • Do we ignore His love, or do we produce good fruit?

Conclusion              
God could do nothing further—He gave Himself completely. The cross is the irrefutable proof that God does not abandon either His justice or His love. Now it is up to us to respond—with faith, gratitude, and obedience.

Read Isaiah 53:4. Whose “disease” and “pains” did Christ bear on the cross? What should this tell us about all that God did for us and the price He paid for our redemption?

Isaiah 53:4: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”

Whose “disease” and “pains” Did Christ Bear?
Isaiah 53:4 makes it unmistakably clear that Christ took upon Himself our suffering, our guilt, and our sins. He did not suffer for His own transgressions—He was without sin (2 Cor 5:21)—but for those of all humanity.
• Our Disease: This can mean both physical suffering and the deeper “disease” of sin that separates us from God.
• Our Pains: Christ not only bore our sins but also the suffering they cause—our fears, worries, and afflictions.

What Does This Tell Us About God’s Love and the Price of Redemption?

1. Redemption Was No Easy Sacrifice, but an Inestimable Price

   • God could not simply “forgive” us without upholding justice. That is why Jesus Himself took the penalty (Isaiah 53:5).

   • The cross was not merely a symbolic act—Christ bore the full weight of sin, both physically and spiritually (Matt 27:46).

2. God Identified with Our Suffering

   • Jesus suffered as a man and can therefore fully understand our pain (Heb 4:15).

   • When we experience pain or loss, we can know: God understands this pain—He Himself bore it.

3. Our Salvation Was God’s Highest Priority

   • Isaiah 53:4 shows that God does not love from a distance—He went to the utmost to save us.

   • He could have saved Himself, but chose to die for us (Phil 2:6–8).

Conclusion
The fact that Christ bore our disease and pains shows us the depth of God’s love. Redemption was not a “small sacrifice” for God, but the highest price He could pay. When we look upon the cross, we see not only God’s justice but above all His boundless, self-sacrificing love.

The parable of the vineyard and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross hold not only historical or theological significance but also touch us personally in our daily lives. God withheld nothing; He gave everything—how do we respond?

1. The Cross as a Daily Reminder of God’s Love

   • When we feel unloved, unworthy, or alone, the cross reminds us: God has already proven His love for us.

   • Our worries and sufferings are real, but Jesus Himself bore our greatest pain (Isaiah 53:4). We are not alone.

   • Every new day is an opportunity to reciprocate God’s love—in our behavior, our decisions, and our trust in Him.

2. The Responsibility to Bear “Good Fruit”

   • In the parable of the vineyard (Matt 21:33–39) we see that God did everything for His people—but they rejected Him. Are we fruitful or unfruitful vines?

   • Our faith is shown in our actions. God does not expect perfection but a genuine, lived relationship with Him.

   • Every decision matters: Do we follow our own will, or are we ready to entrust our lives to God?

3. The Cross Helps Us Understand Suffering

   • We all experience pain and loss. Yet God did not stand by from afar—He suffered with us.

   • Jesus understands our suffering because He Himself experienced rejection, pain, and loneliness (Heb 4:15).

   • Instead of turning away from God in our pain, we can see Him as our hope and refuge (Ps 34:19).

Conclusion
The cross is not just an event of the past—it challenges us daily. God’s greatest love demands a response. Will we ignore it, or will we live our lives as “good fruit” for Him?
God gave everything for us—are we ready to entrust our lives to Him?

God held nothing back—His love is revealed in the cross; now it is up to us to respond.

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