Daily Lesson for Wednesday 12th of March 2025

In the parable of the vineyard owner, in Matthew 21:1-46, Jesus picks up where Isaiah 5:1-30 left off, shedding additional light on the character and actions of the vineyard owner on behalf of His vineyard.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The first part of Christ’s parable quotes directly from the song of Isaiah 5:1-30  about the vineyard owner and His vineyard. Then, Jesus adds, the vineyard owner “ ‘leased’ ” His vineyard “ ‘to vinedressers and went into a far country’ ” (Matthew 21:33, NKJV). Yet, when the vineyard owner twice sent His servants (the prophets) to collect the produce, those renting His vineyard beat and killed His servants (Matthew 21:34-36). Finally, He sent His Son (Jesus), saying, “ ‘They will respect my son’ ” (Matthew 21:37, NKJV). But they murdered His Son, too, saying, “ ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him” (Matthew 21:38-39, NKJV).

What more could He do? The Father loved us so much that He gave His beloved Son (John 3:16). If the cosmic conflict is of the kind suggested here, it could not be settled prematurely by exercise of divine power but required first a public demonstration of God’s character. This demonstration has been set forth ultimately in the work of Christ (Romans 3:25-26; Romans 5:8). What more could we ask than that God (in Christ) give Himself to die for us so that He might justify us without in any way compromising His justice and perfect love?

The cross event demonstrates that God has done everything that could be done to mitigate and eliminate evil, but without destroying the context for the flourishing of genuine love. If there had been any preferable avenue available to God, would He not have chosen it? While people suffer greatly in this cosmic conflict, God Himself suffers most of all. When we look at the Cross, we can, indeed, see what suffering and pain sin has brought to God Himself. Yet, so sacred was the freedom inherent in love that Christ was willing to endure this in our behalf.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

(0)

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-11-christs-parable-of-the-vineyard/

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, John C. Peckham, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.”

(0)

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/11-what-more-cold-i-have-done-it-is-written-discussion-with-the-author/

View an in-depth discussion of What More Could I have Done? in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

(0)

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/11-what-more-could-i-have-done-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 11th of March 2025

In amazing ways, God has manifested His love and righteousness amid the cosmic conflict. Yet, some might ask, Should God have done more than He has done to prevent and/or remove evil? We have seen a cosmic conflict framework that indicates that God has acted in order to respect the free will necessary for the maximal flourishing of love relationships between Him and humanity. Further, He has apparently acted within moral constraints, or rules of engagement, within the context of a cosmic dispute over His character, which can be settled only by the demonstration of His love.

Image © John Clement Collection at Goodsalt.com

In these verses, Isaiah sings a song of his beloved, a vineyard. The vineyard owner is God Himself, and the vineyard represents God’s people (see, for example, Isaiah 1:8, Jeremiah 2:21). But the implications here can also be expanded relative to God’s broader work in this world. According to these verses, the vineyard owner (God) did everything that reasonably could be expected to ensure the flourishing of His vineyard. The vineyard should have produced good grapes, but it produced only “wild grapes,” which other translations refer to as “worthless.” Indeed, the Hebrew wording here literally could be translated stink-fruit. God’s vineyard brings forth rotten grapes.

Isaiah 5:3 shifts to God Himself speaking, inviting people to “judge” between Him and His vineyard. And, in Isaiah 5:4, God Himself sets forth the all-important question: “ ‘What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?’ ” (NKJV). What more could He do? How fascinating that He even asks others to judge what He has done.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

(0)

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-11-the-song-of-my-beloved/

The studies in this quarters pamphlet encourage us to see God’s Love and Justice, just as we may sing in 
Hymn 79 – O Love of God, How Strong and True! which is a beautiful theme hymn for our studies.

 Our Sabbath afternoon introduction to this weeks’ lesson study tells us “the king had always, and in every case, acted out of love for his people” just as we sing in
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is – Hymn 197. This hymn comes again to us on Sunday, helping us then to state that 
Faith Is The Victory – Hymn 608. Sunday closes with our learning that Christ “will reign forever and ever”: 
Hymn 227 – Jesus Shall Reign.

 A number of times this week we are reminded about our dear Jesus having died on the cross to save us. This invokes the response: In
The Cross Of Christ I Glory – Hymn 237, all because 
For God So Loved The World – Hymn 78. Jesus then says to us
I Gave My Life For Thee – Hymn 281.

We are being reminded constantly that “God is perfectly just and righteous” adding to 
Hymn 21 – Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.

Friday’s study time closes with 
Rejoice, The Lord Is King – Hymn 221.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

(0)

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/11-what-more-could-i-have-done-singing-with-inspiration/