Dealing With Conflict (Part 1)

Mark 12:1-34

The closer the cross, the more the conflict is with this world. This is still true. The cross represents conflict, the struggle between life and death, between self-preservation and self-sacrifice, a sign of being powerless. No wonder the world is uncomfortable with Christianity. No wonder we too are sometimes uncomfortable with being a Christian, because it is never easy being willing to die to self.

Jesus said clearly in Matthew 10:34, "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." What He meant was that His very presence, His very person, His very plan causes conflict with the people, powers, and plans of this world. We are always at conflict with the mindset of this world. The sinner does not want to see the real Christ, for if they did this it would mean altering their lives. No wonder the world has conflict with Christianity because it contradicts their ways of thinking and living. And yet, the world often fails to see its own contradictions.

 One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children. The teacher asked a little boy:

TEACHER: Tommy do you see the tree outside? TOMMY: Yes.

TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside? TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you Can see the sky?
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God? TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. He doesn't exist! A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions. The teacher agreed and the little girl asked the boy:
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the tree outside? TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside? TOMMY: Yes. (getting tired of the questions by this time).
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky? TOMMY: Yes!
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher? TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain? TOMMY: No.
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she must not have one.

It is no wonder that Jesus found Himself at odds with different groups in this world, and it is quite likely that we will still find ourselves at conflict with these same groups today. There is however one group of people that Jesus did make an impact on, and so can we. The honest seeker will encounter Christ. It is only the hard hearted that will have conflict with Christ and Christians.

The Scriptures teach us to not be surprised by the conflict this world has with our faith in Christ, the servant is not above the master and if Christ faced such conflict so will we. But just as Jesus has overcome the world, so will we!

Jesus begins this Monday before the cross in conflict with several groups or types of people. If we are to do God's will we will discover quickly that the world is uncomfortable with us, as they were with Jesus. The truth about God can be penetrating and painful to the rebellious.

Jesus tells a parable, which in many ways was more an allegory since each detail had a significant meaning. The Vineyard was Israel, the tenants or farmers were the rulers and leaders of the people of God.

 It is noteworthy to see God's love in His plan for Israel:

1. He planted the vineyard-they came into existence by Him.
2. He put a wall around it-He separated them from the world.
3. He dug a pit for a winepress-He expected fruit from them.
4. He built a watchtower-they were protected by Him.

Those who were supposed to take care of this vineyard however wanted it all for them selves. They beat or killed the servants sent to gather some of the fruit for the owner. The servants sent represented the prophets who were sent time and time again and were often beaten and killed by God's people.

Finally, the owner sends His only Son, hoping this will make a difference, but it does not, the wicked farmers or tenants kill the son so they can keep everything for themselves. Clearly Jesus meant this for the leaders of Israel and clearly He was telling them about His upcoming death, and warning them of their judgment to come.

These evil leaders had corrupted God's people and plan. They were guilty before God, yet they failed to see that they were fighting God and instead thought they were doing God a favor.

The leaders had lost their way, and in turn were leading the rest of God's people down the same path to nowhere. Sin and self- righteousness takes you nowhere, except to Hell. It is bad enough to go to Hell by your self, but to lead others there is an even greater tragedy.

The owner when He comes will have no choice but to deal severely with these evil leaders. While they may think they have gained the vineyard for themselves it is only temporary. They will lose everything in the end.

The great tragedy here is that the very ones who should have recognized God's love and plan in Jesus were cold toward Jesus and jealous for their own needs to be met instead. These leaders reveal a hardened heart that no longer feels the pull of God's presence or love. A very sad state to be in, yet some today are in the same place. We live in a day when many no longer feel the pain of guilt or sin, and when we are in this place we will be in conflict with God instead of confessing God.