Murder in the Vineyard

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Jesus told a parable about a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented his vineyard to some farmers and moved away. At harvest he sent a servant to collect some of the fruit, but the farmers beat him up and sent him away empty handed. The man sent another servant and the farmers struck him on the head and threw him out of the vineyard. He sent another servant and the farmers killed him. He sent many more servants. The farmers beat some and killed others. The man had one last person he could send to get some of the fruit. It was his Son. The farmers knew it was the man’s Son, and they killed him so they could get the inheritance. Jesus asked what the broken hearted land owner would do, and He answered, “He willl come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others” (Mark 12:9).

The Parable Explained

The vineyard is the world. The landowner is God. The farmers are the religious leaders. The servants are the prophets Israel killed down through the ages. The Son is Jesus. The final action of the landowner is judgement. Friend, God gives His people all they need in life to be successful. We have salvation from sin. We can rely on God’s truth. We have God’s love, forgiveness and the presence of the Holy Spirit. And we have a glorious inheritance, and abundant life, that begins the day we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We have love and joy instead of fear and anxiety. We have God’s strength working in our weaknesses. We may battle the ways of this world, but we can remember the battle is the Lord’s. We have a connection with our living God through His word and knowing He hears our prayers for help. We can trust God with all we care about. We are not alone. Nothing in the world compares with the blessings God pours out on His people. Not wealth or health or possessions. Not power or pleasures or sensuality. Nothing compares with the extravagant love of Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus our Savior. Thank you for the life you give us, for loving and caring for us, for blessing us. O Lord, help us to live with right motives, speech and behavior, that we might glorify you in all we do. Help us to show love and compassion as you do, so others will be inspired to receive your love. In Jesus’ mighty and powerful name, Amen.

Servants’ Blessings

The Cana Greek Orthodox Wedding Church in Cana of Galilee, Kfar Kana, Israel

This Greek Orthodox Church is built in the place where Jesus attended the wedding in Cana, west of the Sea of Galilee. Mary, the mother of Jesus, noticed that the host had run out of wine and mentioned it to Jesus. She looked at the servants and said, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Six stone water jars, each held from twenty to thirty gallons, stood nearby. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water,” which they did. Then he said, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best til now” (John 2:1-10).

This was the first of Jesus’ miracles. Although I have read this Scripture many times over the years, I saw something new today. The servants were the first to know what happened. They were the first to be blessed. All they did was what Jesus told them to do–fill the jars with water. It didn’t take extensive education or skill, just a willingness to obey. It is no different for you or me. When we make ourselves available and ready to serve, we experience blessings. Sometimes we experience miracles. You may not think miracles happen today, but they do. I have a friend who took his guitar to nursing homes to play and sing old songs with the residents. Once when he was in the memory unit, a lady who hadn’t spoken for eight years began to smile and sing along. Miracles abound. We just need to open our eyes and hearts to receive them.

The greater miracle is for people to respond to God’s amazing love–addicts, adulterers, murderers, vandals, robbers–for salvation. Sick people are healed physically and spiritually. Jesus came to serve, and as we follow His lead, we will see the miracles and the blessings. Will you be His hands and feet today? Even in these days of isolation, we can respond to God’s call. Sometimes the least we can do (pray) is the best thing we can do.

Prayer: Thank you, Holy Lord, for your word that speaks new truths to us every day. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who teaches us. Help us to recognize opportunities, even in this pandemic to encourage others and pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.