Word@Work 138 - Mark 12:9-12
Published: Thu, 06/05/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 12:9-12 "What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Haven't you read this scripture: "'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes'?" Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away. (NIV)
This is the climax of the parable. The belligerent tenant farmers assumed that once they had disposed of the owner's son, it would be game, set and match. But they had failed to take into account, the character of the owner. The landlord was a just man, and that was why he had exercised extraordinary patience. But justice demands that injustice is dealt with. After his son was killed, the owner was left with no option except to remove those who failed to honour him. They had used up all their chances. Judgement was inevitable; the privilege of developing the vineyard would be given to others.
Jesus made the parable so pointed by quoting Psalm 118:22-23 (click the link) that the religious leaders could not miss its meaning. They knew it referred to the Messiah, and knew who Jesus was claiming to be. They also understood that the fate of the tenant farmers in the story, was a prophecy against them. So this galvanised their killing zeal. But while they had no fear of God, they were frightened of the reaction of the crowd. How short sighted. But those who cannot (or will not) see the truth, are indeed blind.
Proverbs 1:7 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The egocentric approach of every heart that rejects Jesus - is always unwise. It leads to destruction and much trouble along the way. Yet such people are often frightened of human rejection. They will do all in their power to gain respect, popularity and acceptance; as though this world is all there is. Those who fear the Lord need not fear any man. But those who despise the Lord live in fear of rejection. The diagnosis is clear - and the treatment is to come as a sinner to Jesus. That is the only way to lasting wisdom, wholeness and acceptance.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that Jesus is the keystone of all Your purposes. Help me to keep on submitting to him, and to urge others to do the same, before it is too late. For Jesus' sake, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
This is the climax of the parable. The belligerent tenant farmers assumed that once they had disposed of the owner's son, it would be game, set and match. But they had failed to take into account, the character of the owner. The landlord was a just man, and that was why he had exercised extraordinary patience. But justice demands that injustice is dealt with. After his son was killed, the owner was left with no option except to remove those who failed to honour him. They had used up all their chances. Judgement was inevitable; the privilege of developing the vineyard would be given to others.
Jesus made the parable so pointed by quoting Psalm 118:22-23 (click the link) that the religious leaders could not miss its meaning. They knew it referred to the Messiah, and knew who Jesus was claiming to be. They also understood that the fate of the tenant farmers in the story, was a prophecy against them. So this galvanised their killing zeal. But while they had no fear of God, they were frightened of the reaction of the crowd. How short sighted. But those who cannot (or will not) see the truth, are indeed blind.
Proverbs 1:7 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The egocentric approach of every heart that rejects Jesus - is always unwise. It leads to destruction and much trouble along the way. Yet such people are often frightened of human rejection. They will do all in their power to gain respect, popularity and acceptance; as though this world is all there is. Those who fear the Lord need not fear any man. But those who despise the Lord live in fear of rejection. The diagnosis is clear - and the treatment is to come as a sinner to Jesus. That is the only way to lasting wisdom, wholeness and acceptance.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank You that Jesus is the keystone of all Your purposes. Help me to keep on submitting to him, and to urge others to do the same, before it is too late. For Jesus' sake, 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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