33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard and put a wall around it and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. 35 The vine-growers took his slaves and beat one, and killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first; and they did the same thing to them. 37 But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”
Following one parable with another, Jesus drove home the point of the religious leaders’ spiritual insubordination. This story captures the core problem of Israel. Israel is likened to a vineyard that was carefully planned and developed. The “produce” was to be an effective witness in the world and bring God’s blessing to all people of the world. God had said to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen 12:3).
The Lord had built the descendants of Abraham into a great nation, entrusting it to leaders who were to guide them in following His commandments for life and community. He gave the sacrificial systems to constantly remind them of their sinfulness and their need of God’s grace. He showed His favor to them, giving them military victory and material prosperity.
Despite all this, the people continually strayed. Yet, God “… spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways…” (Heb 1:2) to bring them to repentance. The people would not listen, just like the vine-growers wouldn’t listen to the messengers sent by the vineyard owner. They persecuted those messengers, thinking the vineyard was theirs for the taking.
Finally, though, “ … in these last days (He) has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (Heb 1:2). And Israel was about to reject the vineyard owner’s Son, Jesus.
In this parable, Jesus reveals that the religious leaders knew what they were doing! They knew that Jesus had come from God. As early as Nicodemus’ interview with Jesus in John 3, there was the tacit understanding among the Pharisees that Jesus was sent from God. His miracles proved it. It was not a matter of not understanding it, it was a matter of refusal to accept it.
Lord, the horror of seeing others so knowingly and blatantly reject You strikes fear in me. Help me see areas where I am rejecting Your Lordship in my life.
This was encouragement for me today. I’m currently battling a spirit that’s constantly opposed to God’s voice and will. I’m fighting for my family and my faith. But I have been consistently treated with more hostility especially when I’m in the spirit. We are to be one accord. I just don’t really know for sure if my wife is actually honestly saved. It hits hard to say but it’s too many times with passion my faith is attacked by this person. I am with Jesus in never divorcing, and yet this is willful and very strong resistance to the Word. Can I get some feedback from someone who can help me?
My brother, I am sorry to hear about the difficulty you are experiencing. I encourage you to hold on to the Lord, He can see you through, even when you are weak in faith. Feel free to contact me at crgianotti@gmail.com and we can talk further. Chuck