“He began to speak to them in parables. ‘A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country. When the season came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent to them another servant, and they struck him on the head and treated him shamefully. And he sent another, and him they killed. And so with many others: some they beat, and some they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But those tenants said to one another, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the owner of the vineyard do?” Mark 12:1-9a
Jesus deftly exposed the stubborn, greedy hearts of Israel’s religious leaders. By parable, He described their repeated refusal, though provided with every perk and opportunity, to tend to and take advantage of what God had entrusted to them. They’d spurned the prophets who’d announced His coming, and presently rejected His message. There would be a day of reckoning.
The heavenly Father has planted for each of us a vineyard. Designed with fruitfulness in mind, He assigns us a place and time, determines boundaries, provides for needs, supplies wisdom and warnings through His word, hems us in with supernatural protection, gives full access to Himself by prayer, and guards us with His Spirit. All this He gives, then in love lets us decide how we’ll tend our allotment. (Psalm 16:6; 119:105; 139:5; Acts 17:25-27; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:11; Philippians 4:19)
It is easy in life’s demands to get caught in the grind with nary a thought for accountability, influence, or eternity. We’re intent on today’s responsibilities, present productivity, and tomorrow’s dreams, and forget we’re merely stewards who answer to an infinite Sovereign. We dismiss questions and chafe at interruptions, wanting only to do and keep for ourselves. All the while, the Lord awaits a return.
Have we recently taken stock of what the Lord has graciously given us this season in life, and will we take thoughtful time to thank Him? What present resources and opportunities has He entrusted, and what do we think He expects? How are we taking advantage of the visible and invisible bounty from His hand? Is there good health? Or poor health with new relationships, or time to pray? A workplace or neighborhood ripe for harvest? Energy, financial means, gifts of hospitality, wisdom? What will we offer upon His return? (Matthew 9:37-38; 1 Corinthians 3:12-13)
“A charge to keep I have,
a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,
and fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
my calling to fulfill,
O may it all my pow’rs engage
to do my Master’s will!
Arm me with watchful care
as in Thy sight to live,
and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare
a strict account to give!
Help me to watch and pray,
and still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
but press to realms on high.” ~ Charles Wesley (1762)
Amen!
As the rain and snow 