![](/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/jw-logo.png"){kind=logo}
Leg 3 Day 88
“Parable of The Vinedressers”
Jesus Through Us
Scripture:
MARK 12:1-12
MARK 12:1-12 (The Message)
Then Jesus started telling them stories. “A man planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, erected a watchtower, turned it over to the farmhands, and went off on a trip. At the time for harvest, he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect his profits.”
“They grabbed him, beat him up, and sent him off empty-handed. So he sent another servant. That one they tarred and feathered. He sent another and that one they killed. And on and on, many others. Some they beat up, some they killed.”
“Finally there was only one left: a beloved son. In a last-ditch effort, he sent him, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’”
“But those farmhands saw their chance. They rubbed their hands together in greed and said, ‘This is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all for ourselves.’ They grabbed him, killed him, and threw him over the fence.”
“What do you think the owner of the vineyard will do? Right. He’ll come and get rid of everyone. Then he’ll assign the care of the vineyard to others. Read it for yourselves in Scripture:
That stone the masons threw out is now the cornerstone!
This is God’s work; we rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!”
They wanted to lynch him then and there but, intimidated by public opinion, held back. They knew the story was about them. They got away from there as fast as they could.
SEE ALSO:
MATTHEW 21:33-46; LUKE 20:9-19
Life Lessons from Jesus:
God has revealed Himself and His goodness, trying to reach out to so many people, time and time again. He gives us so many opportunities. The vineyard owner did everything He could for the vineyard and the people in it. Likewise, God has given us everything we need for salvation. He has been good to all of us.
The vineyard owner sent his servants and then he sent his own son. He offered the farmhands multiple opportunities to make things right. The servants sent to talk with them portray all the prophets that God had sent. The son represents Jesus. Jesus taught the “Parable of the Tenants” to reveal to the religious leaders how much they hated Him in their hearts, how they were rejecting both the words of the prophets and of God’s Son. He’s letting them know what will happen because of their greed and the way they’ve rejected God’s laws just to hold onto power.
The WAY:
Consider these questions as you reflect on today’s reading:
How good has God been to you? Take time and consider your response.
How can we respond to God’s goodness and what He’s done for us?
What do you think Mark 12:9 means? “He’ll come and get rid of everyone. Then he’ll assign the care of the vineyard to others.”
Prayer:
God, thank You for sending the prophets and Your Son. Thank You for giving us so many chances to follow You and come back to You. You are so good to us. I pray that greed and a desire for control would have no place in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.