Isn’t it Amazing?

Scripture:

Mark 12:1    Then he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. ² When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. ³ But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴ And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. ⁵ Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. ⁶ He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ⁷ But those tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. ⁹ What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you not read this scripture:

‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

¹¹ this was the Lord’s doing,

and it is amazing in our eyes’?”

Observation:

Over and over again those who should have known better, were poor stewards of the master’s vineyard. The master had prepared well for the vineyard with a fence, winepress, and watchtower. The tenants, however, did not appreciate what they had and did not want to share any of their produce with the owner. Not only did they not want to share, but they abused the representatives who were sent, even killing the master's son. The result was that the vineyard would be given to others who would lovingly care for the master’s crop. 

They were in need of the cornerstone to keep the entire foundation solid and sure, but this was rejected. They couldn’t see past their own greed to the bigger picture of what the owner would have accomplished through them. 

Application:

The traditional interpretation of this text is that the Jews had not cared well for God’s vineyard. We can also extrapolate this parable to the condition of the church today. There are very few Messianic Jews today in comparison to the Church that is stewarded by the Gentiles. Therefore, it is now the Gentiles who had better heed this parable, for they have been entrusted with the vineyard. 

Each church ought to examine themselves both individually and collectively as to their response to the vineyard. On the day that we were formed, whether as a denomination, or a local church, God provided for us. There was rejoicing and energy around the work of God — the tower, fence and winepress were all present. But if God’s representative were to visit today, what would be the condition of all that was provided? Would it be old and run-down? Would there be any fruit to share with the master or would there simply be stories of the past? 

We have been given all the resources of the kingdom of God to be good tenants. It is our responsibility to keep the vineyard in top condition, running well and remembering that we have the cornerstone. We must remember “this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes.” We have been invited to be partakers in the supernatural work of God in the very vineyard that was planted by the Lord. With eyes opened by the grace of God we can begin to see the vineyard through God’s lens — and it is beautiful and flourishing. Step into the vision provided by God and utilize all the resources that are available for the harvest to be bountiful. It is amazing! 

Prayer:

Lord, I confess that too often I fail to live into the vision of your provision. Open my eyes to see and to live into all that you have available for the work of your kingdom. Amen.