The master of the vineyard

Monday 3 May 2021

The master of the vineyard

A man planted a vineyard... then he hired it to the vine growers and went out of the country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to receive from them the fruit of the vine ; but they took him, beat him and sent him away empty... He had one more beloved son ; He also sent him last to them, saying to himself : They will respect my son. But these vine growers said among themselves : This is the heir ; come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours... What then will the master of the vineyard do ? Mark 12: 1-9

It is in Jerusalem, to the religious leaders of the Jews, that Jesus addresses this parable. He vividly announces to them that the privilege of leading the people of God spiritually will soon be taken away from them and given to others.

The mission of these religious leaders - the winegrowers - should have been that of God: to bring fruit to the people to glorify God. But they are looking for their personal interest. They reject the owner, his rights and their commitment. They want to break free from their tenure status to appropriate this vineyard, that is, the people of Israel whom God has entrusted to their care. They follow the logic of the devil who has taken over the earth. Their pride and greed dominate their minds so much that they unscrupulously use violence to achieve their goals. They beat, kill and reject all the servants that God sends to them to call them to their duty.

Finally, God sends them his own Son, his only beloved Son, but they also kill him. There is no more resource. God's patience ends with his people, but not with mankind, which is expressed by his giving the vineyard to others.

The Lord uses yet another image to show the leaders of the people that they are rejecting him as masons would from any stone. But he also announces that after her death and resurrection God will give her a preeminent place as the cornerstone mistress of a new home. It is the Church, the building of God, made of living stones drawn from all nations by the work of Jesus (1 Peter 2: 4-8).

God breaks the cycle of wickedness and envy that man has plunged into. He opens the way of forgiveness, of salvation to whoever believes. It is the victory of God.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)