Matthew 21:33-46 Vine Growers

"Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a  vineyard and put a wall around it and dug a wine press in it , and built a tower , and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey.  When the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce.  The vine-growers took his slaves and beat one, and killed another, and stoned a third.  Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first; and they did the same thing to them.  But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.'  But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.'  They took him, and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.  Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?"  They said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons."  Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?  Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.  And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."   When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them. When they sought to seize Him, they feared the people, because they considered Him to be a prophet. [Matthew 21:33‭-‬46 NASB]

In their arrogance the priests and elders thought that they were without reproach. In their national pride, they thought Israel was the only nation that God would choose. When they first heard the parable, they self-righteously condemned the vine-growers. When they understood that it was about them, they became offended on several levels.

Jesus challenged their perception of themselves as righteous. They followed the traditions, and offered all the right sacrifices in their time. They could not conceive of themselves as wicked wretches subject to the judgement of God.

Jesus reminded them of the prophets who had been sent to Israel, and who were subsequently killed. No doubt, the religious leaders condemned the actions of their forbears, but they failed to see that they were about to do even worse. Their ancestors had killed the servants, but they were about to kill the Son.

Jesus applied a well known Messianic prophecy to Himself. He quotes Psalm 118:22-23 referring to the cornerstone, an image which is used repeatedly as a metaphor of the Messiah. The priests and scribes have already rejected Jesus, therefore any allusions to the Messiah are equally and automatically rejected.

Jesus made the statement, "the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it." This is perhaps the most offensive thing He could have said to one of Israel's leaders. They based much of their identity as "God's Chosen People", uniquely graced by Him, alone in the world. The very idea that God would take their chosen status and give it to another was unthinkable.

In fact, Israel was cut off for a time, and the blessing of God was given to the predominately Gentile body of believers. But Israel continues to hold a special and unique place in both history and prophecy. And one day, all of Israel will be saved, as it is written, "For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written," [Romans 11:25-26 NASB]

It is important that we not become arrogant towards Israel. As Paul said, "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either." [Romans 11:17-21 NASB]

As Americans, we often think of ourselves as a Christian nation, blessed by God. I believe that God has blessed us greatly. But as time goes on, we are becoming less and less Christian. More and more pagan religions are being embraced. And many so-called Christian churches have abandoned the gospel in favor of social reform. If God rejected Israel, how much more likely is He to reject America.

We need to intercede on behalf of our nation. Let us pray that the kingdom of God will come, that the Spirit of God will draw the nation to Him, and that righteousness will prevail.