1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 2 “Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3 “And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 “Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 “And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. 6 “Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 “But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 “So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. 9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10 “Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
Devotional
Jesus’ parable here is His follow up Word to the chief priests and elders who seeing Him in the Temple demanded to know by what authority He was doing these things, that is driving out those who bought and sold in the Temple. The parable is given then to refute their rejection of His Person and Authority to do so. And through it Jesus reveals that He Himself is acting on God’s authority as His finial Messenger to Israel. Jesus then begins by using an analogy that was very familiar to them; employing a vineyard owner, his vineyard, his servants, his beloved son and the men to whom he leased the vineyard too. Now the man who planted the vineyard in Jesus’ parable is God and the beloved Son is Jesus Christ Himself. While the vineyard is the nation of Israel, the vinedressers to whom the man leased the vineyard are the leaders of the nation of Israel, i.e. the elders, chief priests, scribes, Pharisees etc. that Jesus was speaking too and about (vs. 12; Luke 20:19). Or more generally all the leadership in the nation of Israel; whether of the priestly or ruling classes who down through the ages have been hostile to the Word of God, and thus the will of God given to them through the ages through His servants the Biblical prophets (Jer. 7:25-26).
Now the vintage time refers to after the formation of the nation of Israel and the giving of the Law through Moses and the nation becoming established in the land of Canaan after Joshua. That would be a good starting point of reference. Yet because of the immediacy of Jesus’ crucifixion, and what He has already foretold about the imminent destruction of the Temple and uprooting of the nation, “vintage time” is anytime God comes seeking the fruits of God from His Word wherever it is sown. And so in verse two Jesus says at vintage-time the owner of the vineyard sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers (vs. 2). Their response though instead of yielding some of the fruits to the servant is to take him and beat him and send him away empty handed (vs. 3). Again the owner sends another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head and they sent him away shamefully treated (vs. 4). “And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.” Vs. 5 And so with that Jesus says of the owner of the vineyard, as a final move, having sent all of his servants, which again are all of God’s prophets and wise and righteous men throughout the nation’s long and tormented history that God has sent to them to bring them back to Himself, right up until John the Baptist. Having then sent all of His servants, the owner, that is God, now sends His one and only beloved Son to them (vs. 6), saying ‘They will respect my son.’ vs. 6
But instead of doing so Jesus says in His parable of them: “But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 “So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.” Vs. 7-8 And with that Jesus then says: 9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.
10 “Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” vs. 9-11
Notice first that the vinedressers did indeed recognize the owners Son for who He is. Therefore it’s not that they didn't know who Jesus was, (or who His servants were and are) it was that they did! And realizing that Jesus was far more than just a Man who taught great things, but by His very Words and Works they at some level realized that Jesus Himself is a Man sent from God, as both John the Baptist and He Himself declared Himself to be, both God’s Christ and God’s Son, for which the Jews wanted to kill Him (John 10:22-42). And thus the Scriptures says Israel’s leaders also sought to kill Jesus because they wanted to keep their places of authority and privilege which Roman rule afforded them (John 11:45-48). Which is one of the grave pitfalls of leadership, whether religious or secular, self preservation at all cost, even if that means destroying a fellow brethren. Therefore Jesus in speaking this parable to them is not only answering their previous question on whose authority He was doing all those things which they heard and saw, yet opposed (See Mark 11:27-33). But He was through His parable, prophesying of His own death at their hands, and ultimately their and the nations judgment at the hand of God for doing so. And thus Jesus' warning in His parable about the vineyard being taken from them and given to others, is His foretelling of God giving the Kingdom and it's blessings and privileges to all who now have faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, of both Jews and Gentiles. Who enter it by Holy Spirit rebirth through faith in the Lord Jesus' Person, and thus are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ by His Presence and Spirit dwelling within them (Gal. 2:20). The nation of Israel as a whole being set aside until the fullness of the Gentiles is accomplished, and then Israel’s salvation will come (Rom. 11:25-27). So with their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ; who is the Rightful Heir of all of God's inheritance and Ruler of the nation of Israel; they fulfilled God's Word by their rejection of Him. Jesus then through their disobedience has taken His rightful place as the Chief Cornerstone of all of God's eternal redemption plans. Both for the nation of Israel and for the believing Gentiles of the world. Therefore Jesus concludes His parable to them by quoting from Psalm 118:22-23:
10 “Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” vs. 9-11
Thus Jesus concludes His parable to them with the Scriptures which already foretold what Israel's leaders reaction would be towards His Person. And so it is that Jesus was rejected by unbelieving man, so that He might established by God. For Jesus is the stone, the chief cornerstone, the foundation upon which all that God is building for His people which will be established forever. Therefore take heed upon what your building your life on. Build on another foundation and your building on proverbial sand, that will only be washed away and all that is built on it, when God brings it all under His scrutiny and final judgment, of both believers (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:9-11) and unbelievers (Heb 10:26-31; Jude 5-19; Rev. 20:11-15).
Now verse twelve goes on to say that they clearly understood that Jesus had spoken the parable against them. Therefore they wanted to lay hands on Him, that is take Him by force, but they didn't at that time because they feared the multitude, "...So they left Him and went away." Which is what you may do as well if you prefer to have your own ways rather than believe God's Son and obey His ways. For just as they choose instead to lay their own crumbling foundations, you may do as well if your faith is not entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ's Person crucified and raised from dead for the remission of not only your sins, but all people's sins, with obedience to His Word (Consider Jer. 2:13; 19). For anything less is not the gospel (Acts 10:34-43).
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:7-10
Take heed then that you are diligent to receive God's Living Word into your heart and life. For the Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Corner Stone of everything that God is building for all eternity. For the salvation of God, the righteousness of God, the life transforming Presence and Power of God, only comes into our lives and persons by faith in Jesus Christ’s Person. Apart from all works of man or woman (Rom. 3:19-28; Acts 13:38-38; Gal. 2:16, 19-21, 3; 4; 5:1; 4-5). For that is the Good News that God loves everyone and saves anyone who repents and believes in His Son. That is the simplicity of the gospel (2 Cor. 11:3-4) which shows no partiality whether to Jews or Gentiles, or makes a distinction between good and bad people, as if one is more deserving than another, for “…the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Gal. 3:22
Therefore I implore you all to open your hearts to God through His Son, (Rev. 3:20). Believing that God loves you and sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to be crucified for you, then on the third day Jesus rose from the dead. Finally He ascended back to heaven waiting until all His enemies are made His footstool. And so having vanquished death forever the Lord Jesus Christ now imparts new and everlasting life into everyone who believes in Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
Devotional
Jesus’ parable here is His follow up Word to the chief priests and elders who seeing Him in the Temple demanded to know by what authority He was doing these things, that is driving out those who bought and sold in the Temple. The parable is given then to refute their rejection of His Person and Authority to do so. And through it Jesus reveals that He Himself is acting on God’s authority as His finial Messenger to Israel. Jesus then begins by using an analogy that was very familiar to them; employing a vineyard owner, his vineyard, his servants, his beloved son and the men to whom he leased the vineyard too. Now the man who planted the vineyard in Jesus’ parable is God and the beloved Son is Jesus Christ Himself. While the vineyard is the nation of Israel, the vinedressers to whom the man leased the vineyard are the leaders of the nation of Israel, i.e. the elders, chief priests, scribes, Pharisees etc. that Jesus was speaking too and about (vs. 12; Luke 20:19). Or more generally all the leadership in the nation of Israel; whether of the priestly or ruling classes who down through the ages have been hostile to the Word of God, and thus the will of God given to them through the ages through His servants the Biblical prophets (Jer. 7:25-26).
Now the vintage time refers to after the formation of the nation of Israel and the giving of the Law through Moses and the nation becoming established in the land of Canaan after Joshua. That would be a good starting point of reference. Yet because of the immediacy of Jesus’ crucifixion, and what He has already foretold about the imminent destruction of the Temple and uprooting of the nation, “vintage time” is anytime God comes seeking the fruits of God from His Word wherever it is sown. And so in verse two Jesus says at vintage-time the owner of the vineyard sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers (vs. 2). Their response though instead of yielding some of the fruits to the servant is to take him and beat him and send him away empty handed (vs. 3). Again the owner sends another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head and they sent him away shamefully treated (vs. 4). “And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.” Vs. 5 And so with that Jesus says of the owner of the vineyard, as a final move, having sent all of his servants, which again are all of God’s prophets and wise and righteous men throughout the nation’s long and tormented history that God has sent to them to bring them back to Himself, right up until John the Baptist. Having then sent all of His servants, the owner, that is God, now sends His one and only beloved Son to them (vs. 6), saying ‘They will respect my son.’ vs. 6
But instead of doing so Jesus says in His parable of them: “But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 “So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.” Vs. 7-8 And with that Jesus then says: 9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.
10 “Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” vs. 9-11
Notice first that the vinedressers did indeed recognize the owners Son for who He is. Therefore it’s not that they didn't know who Jesus was, (or who His servants were and are) it was that they did! And realizing that Jesus was far more than just a Man who taught great things, but by His very Words and Works they at some level realized that Jesus Himself is a Man sent from God, as both John the Baptist and He Himself declared Himself to be, both God’s Christ and God’s Son, for which the Jews wanted to kill Him (John 10:22-42). And thus the Scriptures says Israel’s leaders also sought to kill Jesus because they wanted to keep their places of authority and privilege which Roman rule afforded them (John 11:45-48). Which is one of the grave pitfalls of leadership, whether religious or secular, self preservation at all cost, even if that means destroying a fellow brethren. Therefore Jesus in speaking this parable to them is not only answering their previous question on whose authority He was doing all those things which they heard and saw, yet opposed (See Mark 11:27-33). But He was through His parable, prophesying of His own death at their hands, and ultimately their and the nations judgment at the hand of God for doing so. And thus Jesus' warning in His parable about the vineyard being taken from them and given to others, is His foretelling of God giving the Kingdom and it's blessings and privileges to all who now have faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, of both Jews and Gentiles. Who enter it by Holy Spirit rebirth through faith in the Lord Jesus' Person, and thus are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ by His Presence and Spirit dwelling within them (Gal. 2:20). The nation of Israel as a whole being set aside until the fullness of the Gentiles is accomplished, and then Israel’s salvation will come (Rom. 11:25-27). So with their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ; who is the Rightful Heir of all of God's inheritance and Ruler of the nation of Israel; they fulfilled God's Word by their rejection of Him. Jesus then through their disobedience has taken His rightful place as the Chief Cornerstone of all of God's eternal redemption plans. Both for the nation of Israel and for the believing Gentiles of the world. Therefore Jesus concludes His parable to them by quoting from Psalm 118:22-23:
10 “Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” vs. 9-11
Thus Jesus concludes His parable to them with the Scriptures which already foretold what Israel's leaders reaction would be towards His Person. And so it is that Jesus was rejected by unbelieving man, so that He might established by God. For Jesus is the stone, the chief cornerstone, the foundation upon which all that God is building for His people which will be established forever. Therefore take heed upon what your building your life on. Build on another foundation and your building on proverbial sand, that will only be washed away and all that is built on it, when God brings it all under His scrutiny and final judgment, of both believers (1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:9-11) and unbelievers (Heb 10:26-31; Jude 5-19; Rev. 20:11-15).
Now verse twelve goes on to say that they clearly understood that Jesus had spoken the parable against them. Therefore they wanted to lay hands on Him, that is take Him by force, but they didn't at that time because they feared the multitude, "...So they left Him and went away." Which is what you may do as well if you prefer to have your own ways rather than believe God's Son and obey His ways. For just as they choose instead to lay their own crumbling foundations, you may do as well if your faith is not entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ's Person crucified and raised from dead for the remission of not only your sins, but all people's sins, with obedience to His Word (Consider Jer. 2:13; 19). For anything less is not the gospel (Acts 10:34-43).
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and “A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:7-10
Take heed then that you are diligent to receive God's Living Word into your heart and life. For the Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Corner Stone of everything that God is building for all eternity. For the salvation of God, the righteousness of God, the life transforming Presence and Power of God, only comes into our lives and persons by faith in Jesus Christ’s Person. Apart from all works of man or woman (Rom. 3:19-28; Acts 13:38-38; Gal. 2:16, 19-21, 3; 4; 5:1; 4-5). For that is the Good News that God loves everyone and saves anyone who repents and believes in His Son. That is the simplicity of the gospel (2 Cor. 11:3-4) which shows no partiality whether to Jews or Gentiles, or makes a distinction between good and bad people, as if one is more deserving than another, for “…the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Gal. 3:22
Therefore I implore you all to open your hearts to God through His Son, (Rev. 3:20). Believing that God loves you and sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to be crucified for you, then on the third day Jesus rose from the dead. Finally He ascended back to heaven waiting until all His enemies are made His footstool. And so having vanquished death forever the Lord Jesus Christ now imparts new and everlasting life into everyone who believes in Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Scripture Quotations:
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
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