The Parable of Jesus and the Vineyard

And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.' And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. Mark 12:1-12

Steps: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Jesus is still teaching His people and He chooses to tell the parable, or verbal teaching device, of God and the vineyard He planted. Jesus says that a certain man planted a vineyard – that man was God in the story, and the vineyard is the nation of Israel. He loaned out the vineyard to some workers and left and went on a long journey. The long journey is the God returning to heaven and leaving His church in the hands of the leaders. After a time the man sends some workers to gather fruit from the vineyard and from the husbandmen but they were rejected and abused by the husbandmen. This is the teaching about how God’s prophets were treated by Israel. Finally God sends His Son – Jesus – because surely they will recognize who Jesus is by His teaching and by His miracles, and they will give the fruits to the True Owner. But instead they kill Jesus, as they had killed the prophets before Him. Then Jesus asks the Jewish leaders what God will do to those men? They answer that God will send His armies and will destroy the husbandmen and give the vineyard to others – the Gentiles. The leadership grew angry at this because they knew that He was speaking of them, but they could prove nothing.

Prayer for Today: God, we know that You are loving, fair, and considerate of all people. Help us to be like You. Help us to recognize our need of Your love and care. Help us to recognize Your people when You send them and bless us in Your love. Thank You that You will not have to take Your kingdom away from us because we want to listen to You and give you the gifts of our love.