“Then he began to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey for a long time. When harvest time came, he sent a slave to the tenants so that they would give him his portion of the crop. However, the tenants beat his slave and sent him away empty-handed. So he sent another slave. They beat this one too, treated him outrageously, and sent him away empty-handed. So he sent still a third. They even wounded this one, and threw him out.’” —Luke 20:9–12
In the books of Matthew and Mark we find additional details surrounding this story:
“There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went on a journey.” —Matthew 21:33
“A man planted a vineyard. He put a fence around it, dug a pit for its winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went on a journey.” —Mark 12:1
Jesus is comparing the kingdom of God on earth to an exquisite vineyard furnished with everything necessary for its management, improvement, and development.
These verses of Scripture are reminiscent of a description found in Isaiah:
“I
will sing to my love—a song to my lover about his vineyard.
My love had a vineyard on a fertile hill.
He built a hedge around it, removed its stones, and planted a vine.
He built a tower in the middle of it, and constructed a winepress.
He waited for it to produce edible grapes, but it produced sour ones instead.”
—Isaiah 5:1–2
The Lord has planted the Church for the display of His splendor, and it is ever under His watchful, protective eye. It was He who planted the vineyard with the choicest of vines; it was He who cleared the soil of the stones; and it was He who built the watchtower and the winepress—all with the goal of enjoying its fruitfulness.
“When that time comes, sing about a delightful vineyard! I, the LORD, protect it; I water it regularly. I guard it night and day, so no one can harm it.” —Isaiah 27:2–3
Those of us who enjoy all the privileges as children of the King also have pleasant and profitable responsibilities which accompany our position—we are to about bringing forth much fruit.
Proverbs tells us:
“The fruit of the righteous is like a tree producing life, and the one who wins souls is wise.” —Proverbs 11:30
The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed God’s message:
“My blessing is on those people who trust in me, who put their confidence in me. They will be like a tree planted near a stream whose roots spread out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no need to be concerned in a year of drought. It does not stop bearing fruit.” —Jeremiah 17:7–8
The story goes on to explain how the tenants beat the faithful servants of the man. Unfortunately, this has often been the case of God’s faithful servants as well. They have been abused and treated wrongly by those who are resolved to take God’s gifts for themselves. They not only refuse to acknowledge God’s rightful authority, but also abuse those who do.
“Though assaults be many, and my enemies mighty, if God strengthen me, I have enough to comfort me; for the greater my enemy, the more glorious my victory; and the more glorious my victory, the more triumphant my glory.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky
Become More
“Grant, O Lord, that I may earnestly seek to bring forth fruits, and may grow in fruitfulness as I grow in years; and never cease from yielding fruit; hereby proving myself to be a tree of the Lord’s planting, whose leaf is green, and whose branches are flourishing and fruitful. Yet bless me also with deep poverty of spirit, that I may see myself still nothing, have nothing of my own to glory in, or to justify me; and thus esteem Christ my all, and rest upon Him wholly.” —K. H. Von Bogatzky
Further Reflection
“Christians
shouldn’t be surprised when, in seeking to do God’s will, we find ourselves
trapped in painful, frightening, difficult, or impossible situations. Life is
hard—especially for Christians.” —Robert J. Morgan