Matthew 21:33 "Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who
planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a
tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants
to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35
And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned
another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more
than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37
Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said
among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his
inheritance.' 39 So they took him and cast him out
of the vineyard and killed him. 40 Therefore, when
the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?" 41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked
men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to
him the fruits in their seasons." 42 Jesus
said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the
builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes'? 43
"Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and
given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And
whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will
grind him to powder." 45 Now when the chief
priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking
of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on
Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.
It has been well said if you pay no attention to history
you are doomed to repeat it.
There are several places in the Bible where a direct
recitation of the history of the Jews is provided. Acts 7 is one, with the
speech of Stephen before the High Priest and the accusers of the Sanhedrin.
Acts 13 gives us Paul’s account of the history of the
Jewish people, how they were enslaved in Egypt, and how God rescued them and
brought them into the Promised Land, while driving out the occupants of the
land He was providing them.
Both accounts recognize and memorialize God’s care for
the Jews, while also reminding us of a problem prevalent among them of not
listening to God in the present – even while celebrating all He has done for
them in the past.
That’s a strange thing isn’t it?
To consider yourselves a Promised People in a Promised
Land – and yet not be presently aware of all God is doing in the here and now?
And to learn this has always been the case?
Can you indeed celebrate the history of your people – and
the glory of God in working with your people – while at the same time refusing
to understand exactly how inglorious the behavior of your people has always
been before God when it comes to the prophets God has sent you to reveal His
glory?
This is exactly what Jesus is telling the Jews here. God
has always been on your side, but you have never been on His. That is a
tragedy, and by not making yourselves aware of this history you are presently
repeating it, and are about to perform the greatest tragedy in the history of
the world.
-Pastor Bill
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