Don’t Reject God’s Plan - Luke 19-20

Luke 20:9-18 (ESV)

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone’?

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

Jesus told this parable in front of the religious leaders, who represented Israel.   The parable makes the point that God established His “vineyard” (Israel - God’s Kingdom and their chosen place in it) and gave it to the “tenants” (the leaders of Israel).   The point of the “vineyard” (Israel) was that it was to produce fruit (glory to God) for the owner (God).   God sends His servants (prophets ... i.e. John the Baptist) to glean from the “vineyard.”  But the “tenants” (the leadership of Israel) rejected those servants (prophets like John the Baptist).  

Then is where the parable takes on a powerful truth Jesus is trying to get all His audience to see.  The owner (God) of the “vineyard” (Israel) sends His own Son (Jesus) to glean from this vineyard.  But the tenants (religious leaders) plot against the Son to kill him so that they can keep the entire vineyard for their own.   Jesus then states that the owner (God) will then take the “vineyard” (Israel’s chosen place in the Kingdom of God) and destroy those “tenants” (Israel and its leaders) and give the “vineyard” (God’s Kingdom) to others (Gentiles).    

What is the response from those who are hearing all this?   

When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 

God is calling them out for their rejection of Jesus, even before they fully reject Him at the cross.   They don’t like this thought.  It can’t be so!  But when you reject Jesus you reject all of God and His Kingdom.   Jesus is the way to the Kingdom.  Accepting Him gives us the vineyard of life.  Rejecting Him gives the Kingdom to others.