“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard."
- Mark 12:6-8 -

In the parable of the wicked tenants, God is the vineyard owner, Israel is the tenants, the servants are the prophets and the son is Jesus Christ. We see in it God's great patience toward Israel who rejected His love and His purpose upon them. God sent his servants again and again to help them to be restored. Verse 5 says, "He sent many others; some of them, they beat, others they killed." He even sent His beloved Son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours” (7). This is exactly what the Jews did to Jesus.

Jesus warned them of their wickedness, quoting Psalm 118:10-11, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” By quoting these verses, Jesus claimed that He is the Messiah to come. They needed to repent of their wickedness, be forgiven and be restored as God's tenants. This is the Lord's message for us today to fear God, be grateful for His grace and live as His faithful tenants in His vineyard.

Prayer: Lord, it was in your great grace that You called me as your servant to work in your vast vineyard. I acknowledge that all things belong to you. Help me to be ever more grateful and ever more faithful.