READING: 2 Kings 15-16, Matthew 21
Jesus used a parable to make His point, but the application to the Hebrews is clear. In the parable of the vineyard owner, Jesus spoke of land tenants who successively stood against the owner’s servants sent to reap the crop; in fact, “the farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned a third” (Matt 21:35). They continued the same pattern enough that the landowner determined to send his son into the vineyard. After all, he thought, “They will respect my son” (Matt 21:37).
Not so, though. The tenant owners killed the landowner’s son, too.
Even the religious leaders of Jesus’ day affirmed that the vineyard owner ought to remove his tenants and turn the vineyard over to someone willing to return the crop. What they also realized, though, was that Jesus was talking about them. They and their people had killed the prophets, and even then they were seeking to arrest the Son of God. The result? God would take the kingdom from them and grant it to the Gentiles.
As I think of today’s lesson, I’m burdened that I always want to be most useful to God. I want to follow Him so closely that my rebellion never pushes Him to look for another leader.
PRAYER: “Father, let me cling to You today. And tomorrow. And the next day. . . .”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 1-3, Psalm 9, Matthew 22
