The parable of the two sons sets the scene
for two more parables. One addresses the
rejection of the shepherds (today); the other addresses the believing tax
collectors and harlots who enter the kingdom of God (tomorrow).
v
The
Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers.
A vineyard is a common picture of Israel (Psalm 80:8-16; Isa. 5:1-4;
27:2-6; Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 15:1-6; 19:10-14; Hosea 10:1; Joel 1:7). It is a great illustration, especially when
you think of how God blessed Israel as the landowner did in the parable. He made his vineyard nice with a protective
hedge around it, a winepress on the property to increase productivity, and a
tower for the watchmen and protection of the vinedressers (2 Chron. 26:10).
The vineyard (the
nation) belongs to the landowner (God).
The vinedressers are leasing the vineyard and thus, at vintage time, are
obligated to share the proceeds with the owner.
Spiritually the picture is consistent.
The purpose of every person is to bring glory to his Creator and he does
this first by acknowledging the goodness of the Creator and thanking Him for
His blessings (Rom. 1:21). As people
generally have failed in this, so the shepherds of Israel refused to acknowledge
the provision of The Shepherd (Ps. 23:1).
As the wicked vinedressers beat, killed and stoned the owners servants,
so the shepherds of Israel had done to the prophets God sent to call Israel to
repentance.
The sending of the son is of course critical. It says that the owner did the most powerful
thing he could do and the vinedressers recognized this, saying that if they get
rid of the son then they will have shown their power and will be able to take
the vineyard for themselves. But of
course these wicked men are very foolish in their thinking because if they kill
the son the owner will have no choice but to come and remove them and replace
them with others.
This leaders are
incredulous, that they would be removed from leadership. But Jesus uses Psalm 118:22-23 to show that
this rejection was prophesied. It is
interesting that just the precious day the crowds had praised Jesus from the
same Psalm (118:26) proclaiming blessed
is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Yet that same Psalm spoke of His rejection. Jesus is the beloved Son (Luke 20:13) in the
story. He is also the stone which the builders rejected and the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:19-22).
Moreover He is the stone of
stumbling and rock of offense predicted
by Isaiah (8:14-15). Rather than respect
the Son the leaders were offended by Him and would have Him killed.
By way of application remember
the Bible says this rejection of Christ is on-going. Paul said, we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the
Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ
the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24-25).
No comments:
Post a Comment