Vineyard of the LORD
Introduction: Jesus told more than one parable that included a reference to a vineyard, but this one was directed to the Jewish religious elite about their failure to honor the LORD and properly lead Israel. The murder of the son of the lord of the vineyard described in the parable was a portrayal of Jesus. He is the only begotten son of the LORD of the Vineyard, and not long after he gave this parable in Jerusalem, he was put to death by the Romans because of the husbandmen of Israel.
NOTE: All verses are from the American King James Bible.
A — Israel Was the LORD’s Vineyard
Psalm 80 “8 You have brought a vine out of Egypt: you have cast out the heathen, and planted it. 9 You prepared room before it, and did cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land… 14 Return, we beseech you, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine.”
Isaiah 5 “7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”
Comments: Psalm 80 provides a poetic description of how the LORD had brought his people Israel out of their bondage in Egypt, and established them in the pleasant land, like a wealthy land owner who lovingly clears the land and plants his vineyard. Israel’s failure to honor the LORD of the vineyard resulted in their downfall by their enemies, and their position could only be restored by a genuine plea for mercy from the LORD. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah were guided by the Spirit to record the results for the people of Israel as a nation, including rejection of God by their religious leaders.
B — The Prophets of God Were Servants Sent to the Vineyard
Matthew 21 “33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and dig a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to farmers, and went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the farmers took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.”
Comments: Jesus was being challenged by the religious leaders in Jerusalem, because they were jealous of how he was influencing many of the Jews. He answered their questions with a parable. All three gospel accounts of this parable record the same general content. The fact was that all Israel’s prosperity was because the LORD of the vineyard was the originator of the flourishing fruit; and he deserved all praise, honor, and glory from the husbandmen who manage his vineyard.
C — The LORD Sent His Son to the Vineyard
Matthew 21 “37 But last of all he sent to them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers? 41 They say to him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard to other farmers, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.”
Comments: Even though Israel was subject to the idolatrous Romans in the time of Christ, they did have the rebuilt temple for worship of the true God, and they taught in their synagogues from the scriptures. Their sin as a people was not so much in that they worshipped idols of false gods, but it was in the form of the sins that affect many “good” people even in our present time. The teaching among the Jews had become a form of righteousness without true faith and trust in the LORD.
D — The Stone the Builders Rejected
Matthew 21 “42 Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I to you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”
1 Peter 2 “9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
Comments: Jesus quoted from Psalm 118 to show how his appearance was in fulfillment of prophecy, and that those who reject him would not have part in the Kingdom of God. The chief priests and scribes wanted to apprehend Jesus because they knew they were the object of his vineyard parable. By the sovereign choice of the LORD, those who have received mercy should be eager to show forth praise to him for his marvelous light of life within us.
Reflections in Prayer
LORD, your patience and mercy are so evident when the record is reviewed of how far your chosen people wandered from you despite having the Holy Scriptures and the messages you sent through the prophets of God. When you examine my heart and life I want you to find fair judgments, not oppression, and the righteousness that only you can give me. By your Spirit in me, I want to have more than just an appearance of trust and love for Christ my Cornerstone. I thank you for giving discernment to those who search the scriptures so as not to be led astray by those who are “husbandmen” of your vineyard, but do not obediently make sure that the proper portion of fruit returns to you as LORD of the vineyard. Through your grace and mercy, LORD, help me to be firmly grounded on the foundation you have laid in your great love. Amen.
Published 9 June 2016