Word@Work 136 - Mark 12:2-5
Published: Tue, 06/03/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 12:2-5 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. (NIV)
No business can survive if it always makes a loss. If employees steal the assets and are violent to their boss, the company is in meltdown. Jesus tells such a story (but with an agricultural rather than city flavour). Clearly the situation is untenable, and any right-hearing listener would think, "Surely the owner must sort out these wicked men!"
In fact, Jesus was describing Israel, whose stewardship of God's land and people had been simply appalling. Kings had gone 'off-message', and prophets had been abused and eliminated. What hope could there possibly be for the nation? Indeed, what hope is there for anybody in the world? But instead of leading towards the powerful intervention of an angry company chairman, the story is moving to the death of his beloved son.
The astonishing thing about the gospel; is that God does not dominate His kingdom by force, but woos it's citizens by sacrificial love. This business model would not even get a pass at MBA - but it was God's chosen method to win the hearts of sinners, and convert them into saints. If you know that love, what a privilege! If you do not ... it would be foolish not to respond with willing gratitude.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for the extraordinary way in which You have chosen to bring me into Your Kingdom. I need to be grateful - thank you for your patient longsuffering with me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
No business can survive if it always makes a loss. If employees steal the assets and are violent to their boss, the company is in meltdown. Jesus tells such a story (but with an agricultural rather than city flavour). Clearly the situation is untenable, and any right-hearing listener would think, "Surely the owner must sort out these wicked men!"
In fact, Jesus was describing Israel, whose stewardship of God's land and people had been simply appalling. Kings had gone 'off-message', and prophets had been abused and eliminated. What hope could there possibly be for the nation? Indeed, what hope is there for anybody in the world? But instead of leading towards the powerful intervention of an angry company chairman, the story is moving to the death of his beloved son.
The astonishing thing about the gospel; is that God does not dominate His kingdom by force, but woos it's citizens by sacrificial love. This business model would not even get a pass at MBA - but it was God's chosen method to win the hearts of sinners, and convert them into saints. If you know that love, what a privilege! If you do not ... it would be foolish not to respond with willing gratitude.
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for the extraordinary way in which You have chosen to bring me into Your Kingdom. I need to be grateful - thank you for your patient longsuffering with me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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