We
are called to account for the opportunities presented to us by God.
After
Jesus chases the money changers out of the Temple (Mark
11:15-17),
the religious establishment questioned his authority. Jesus answers
the question with another question that links him to John the
Baptist. (Mark
11:27-33)
He
then tells a story about a man who planted a vineyard and equipped
with everything necessary for it to thrive. He rented the vineyard
out but, when the owner sent servants to collect his share of the
harvest, he was denied. The servants were beaten and the owners own
son was killed. The owner finally returned to seek justice and turned
the vineyard to other tenants. (Mark
12:1-9)
The
vineyard refers to of Israel, the people of God. They had been set
apart and cultivated to bring salvation to the world. The
owner is God, who
built the vineyard, providing blessing and privilege for His people.
The
tenants are the religious leaders, who were
the responsible for oversight, and were accountable to God. Israel’s
leaders were expected to cause growth and maturity in the people.
The
servants represent the prophets; messengers God sent to his people
warn Israel: "Turn from all your evil ways. Obey my commands and
laws, which are contained in the whole law that I commanded your
ancestors and which I gave you through my servants the prophets."
(2
Kings 17:13)
The
owner's response reminds us that God
will not be robbed of His glory. God’s plans will not be thwarted
by the wickedness of men and sin will not go unpunished. The
privilege of the harvest was given to others. The Gentiles would now
be recipients of God’s message of salvation.
Once,
you [Gentiles]
were rebels against God, but when the Jews refused his mercy, God was
merciful to you instead.
(Romans
11:30)
Jesus
connects the rejected son with the rejected stone that became the
cornerstone. (Mark
12:10-12)
The leaders who rejected Jesus didn’t realize how God would exalt
him. Jesus is the cornerstone whose life and teaching are the
foundation of the church.
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