As soon as they understand the story,

instead of falling down in conviction and fear,

fear only the loss of their control of the kingdom,

only the loss of their power.

They're afraid the people are gonna follow Jesus

come after them, and he is gonna take over.

It is the nature of sinners to protect their domain.

Welcome to Grace to You with John MacArthur.

I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

Throughout history, rulers frequently have maintained their power

by brutal means.

For example, Herod the Great not only killed members of his own family,

he also ordered wide-scale infanticide to protect his rule

from potential threat.

Well, it's one thing for godless kings to act so wickedly,

to kill people, to preserve their power,

but realize this, even the religious elite in first century Israel,

resorted to murder, to put down what they saw as a threat to their authority.

Today's lesson will shed light on that truth in a powerful way.

Stay here as John MacArthur looks at the famous,

but often misunderstood parable of the murdered son.

It's part of John's continuing study titled Stories with Purpose.

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