The Owner's Response - Matthew Narrabri Anglican Church

Jesus is still in the temple following on from last week’s authority question from the chief priests and elders. In response to the weak non-answer, Jesus tells them two parables about vineyards to expose their lack of dependence on God, the vineyard owner. Unlike other parables which Jesus had to explain, there is no need for explanation here. Everyone knew what He meant.

In the first parable the insiders (2nd son) were not being obedient and so were judged. The judgement was that the outsiders (1st son) who repented and obeyed, were entering the kingdom before them.

In the second parable we see Israel’s history in a few sentences. God planted a vineyart (Israel), and it, or its tenants, didn’t live how they should have. Servants (prophets) were sent but were ignored at best, but mostly killed. He sent his beloved sone and they killed him as well. In judgement, the vineyard owner will remove the insider tenants and bring the outsiders in to do the job that the leaders of Israel weren’t doing.

Jesus is the stone thrown to the discard pile by Israel, but God has made Him the cornerstone. We reject Him at our peril.