The leaders of the Jewish faith in the time of Christ were an interesting group of people. Many of the symbols used by Christ in his parables and and many of the things he does can be used to help us understand the lessons He taught.
At one point the Savior gets hungry, and goes to look for some fruit on the fig tree. When the tree is bare of fruit, the Savior curses the tree. Like the barren fig tree, the leaders of the Jewish people had grown, producing many branches of laws, procedures, rules and culture. But in spite of all that the tree is, it doesn't produce the fruit that can satisfy. Neither did the doctrine of the Jewish leaders produce the joy that the gospel of Christ brings.
In another parable the Lord spoke of two sons who received an instruction from their father. The first told his father he would not, but repented and did. The second told his father he would and then did not. This reminds me of the warning that Christ gave when he said that "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." The Jewish leadership made a big show of being righteous and pious. But they played the same game that the second son played. The pharisees and Sadducees were willing to talk the talk, but not walk the walk.
Also like another parable about the savior told about the husbandman who failed accomplish what they had been charged with. When the Lord sent his servants to the husbandman, the husbandman killed the servants. Like the foolish husbandman, the leaders of the jewish faith in Christ's time killed , cast out, and mocked the servants of god, Killing even the very Son of God.
And finally, there is the parable told of the man who comes to the wedding with out having the proper attire. In the same way, the Jewish culture, and their leaders especially, considered themselves worthy, and a people set aside by the Lord. Having an almost 'holier than thou' attitude, they were willing to come to the table unprepared.
Don't forget your daily dose of Scriptures!
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