A Vineyard and a Cornerstone

N.T.#411 "A Vineyard and a Cornerstone"

Oct. 18, 2024 

Mark 12

LET IT GLOW 

Here is another parable by Jesus. It has a spiritual meaning. We will discuss its meaning later. 

A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. The he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country.

What happened then?

•  At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers beat him up and sent him back empty handed.
• He owner sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head. 
• The next servant they killed. 
• Others he sent were either beaten or killed, until there was only one left-his son whom he loved dearly.
• The owner finally sent him, thinking, surely they will respect my son.
• But it didn't happen. Desiring the estate for themselves, they murdered the son, and threw his body out of the vineyard,  (New Living Translation)

Jesus asked what the owner of the vineyard would do. He came and killed those farmers and leased the vineyard to others. 

Had the Pharisees not read Psalm 118:22-23:

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came from the LORD; it is wonderful in our eyes.

What violent and bloody parable. It is Truth for us to learn by, though. Have you rejected or accepted Jesus to be your Cornerstone for your life? Is He your Rock on which you build your life?Or is He just a person in a book to you?

LET IT GROW 

Swindoll teaches us that the word harvest is inserted in the NASB, because the Greek phrase is simply at the time, using kairos, which means a point of time, a defined moment for an event, or a special time. 

The owner had to wait 3 full years as required by the Mosaic Law before dealing with fruit of trees or vines. It was forbidden for them to eat during that time. On the 4th year, all the fruit is holy, an offering of praise to the LORD. Then in the 5th year they owner could eat its fruit. (Lev. 10:23-25)

What does this parable mean? 

In the story, Jesus was referring to Israel the vineyard, God its owner, and the religious leaders were the tenant farmers. 

God sent His prophets to Israel and they rejected the prophets, torturing and murdering them. Then He sent His only Son, Jesus, with the truth, but the Jews rejected Him. Jesus is now the cornerstone, the most important part of the church. (Acts 4:11) The cornerstone is the foundation stone holding the structure together and straight.

Once we die, we reach the courtroom of heaven, where we must give an account of our life. That time will be too late for forgiveness and grace and repentance. We must do it now. 

LET IT GO