Full Reading: Luke 20:1-21:38
Selective Reading: Luke 20:9-18
I hope you’ve carved out enough time for today’s Scripture reading. There is a lot. But even if you don’t read everything, I hope that you will at least take the time to focus on the parable of the wicked tenants.
Many of Jesus' parables are complex, but this one is straightforward. God is the owner of the vineyard, the tenants are the religious leaders, the servants are the many prophets whom God had sent to call the people to repentance, and the son is Jesus Himself.
Throughout history God had sent His messengers to claim what rightfully belonged to Him, yet the religious leaders were dishonest. Remember, they had turned the temple into a den of robbers. So God sent His only Son with terms of peace, and yet they rejected Him and sought to kill Him. However, by killing the Son, they would condemn themselves and put into motion their own destruction.
Jesus goes on to describe the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem as a sign of their judgment. These examples might seem harsh, but we have to remember that those who called for Jesus’ death had every opportunity to repent and receive Jesus as their Lord and savior.
This parable demonstrates how God’s wrath is justified. He is patient, rich in love, and slow to anger. Instead of trying to diminish the justice that God deserves, we should consider ourselves as those among the mockers and sinners who called for Jesus’ execution. This should lead us to repentance and devotion as we consider the lengths of God’s love to forgive us, although we were once His enemies.
Adam Miller is the President and host of Songtime Radio and serves as the pastor of South Chatham Community Church.
You can hear his teaching on our daily broadcast on the radio or online, watch his preaching live on Facebook, and read his articles on our website.
