SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:1-12
OBSERVATION:
A vineyard was an old testament symbol for the nation of Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7).
The vineyard is Israel; the owner is God; the tenants are the Jewish leaders; the servants are the prophets; and the only son and heir is Jesus.
The stewards turn on the landowner, refusing to honour their deal.
Jesus reveals what is going on, and what is going to happen, after He is killed by God’s ‘stewards’.
Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23 (which the crowds sang when He arrived in Jerusalem), saying that He is the cornerstone of God’s temple, and that by killing Him, they are rejecting God’s presence and power among them. Probably a veiled allusion to the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
This parable only confirms the leaders’ determination to kill Jesus, though they hold back because of the people.
APPLICATION:
I am a steward of the church (God’s temple), along with the other leaders. Are we producing fruit for the Lord or are we serving ourselves?
A reminder that God is looking for “fruit”, the results of faithful service as His followers.
What kind of fruit (results) is my ministry producing?
PRAYER:
Lord, this church is Yours, and I have been entrusted with this task, to produce fruit for You. Help me Lord to keep my focus on You, and not on my reputation or comfort. Amen.
It is sad to see how the workers in His kingdom where He has planted them refuse to give Him the glory and honour due to their Lord of lords and King of kings. Rather than loving their Master and His family, they love themselves and the works of their own hands. They even killed the Master’s son, rejecting the reign of God and His dominion and His kingdom. They did what was right in their own eyes and refused to let God into their hearts.
Today I too am a worker in His Kingdom. I try to hear His voice each day, praying that He will show me the way of my travels throughout the day. He is my Risen Saviour! Help me Lord to have the eyes to see and the ears to hear so that I may produce the fruit You desire. May others see that I am a Christian by my words and deeds. Help me daily to praise you with my life. “Establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.” This also expresses awareness of togetherness of the kingdom workers.
Father, I love you, I praise you, I adore you,
Glorify Thy name in all the earth.
Glorify Thy name, glorify Thy name,
Glorify Thy name in all the earth.