Jesus knew what they would do. How do we know? He came teaching and preaching in the Temple, but the religious leaders questioned his authority. Jesus often answered questions with questions. He stumped them when they tried to stump him. Then he told a story about the vineyard owner who leased it out and moved away with the expectation of receiving a share. Instead his representatives were beaten. Finally he sent his son and the tenants killed him.
How did people respond to Jesus’ story? Most of his listeners recognized the evil behavior of the tenants and said, “How terrible.” But the religious leaders recognized themselves in the story and wanted to arrest Jesus. What did they hear? First, the vineyard in the Old Testament represented Israel. Second, God is the owner of the vineyard. So his Son was Jesus. He predicted that these who had been entrusted with Israel’s spiritual leadership would kill him the Son. That is exactly what the religious leaders wanted to do when they heard Jesus. They did so not long afterward.
Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders who has become the chief cornerstone. To this day people refuse to receive him. But all who do receive him and believe in his name are born as children of God. What will God do to those who resist his ultimate purpose of saving the world? We do not want to find ourselves in that group. Let us receive his grace and mercy today, so that we do not experience his judgment on the day he returns.
