The Parable of the Ungrateful Tenants, Part 1. Mark 12:1-5.
And 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 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.”
Dear Family,
In this parable, Jesus was communicating to the Jewish leaders the reason God would reject Israel and set her aside. It is easy to see that God is the landlord and the people of Israel are the tenants, with the commonwealth of Israel as the vineyard.
Right (v. 1). God’s right is established because he is the owner, but also because he did everything to prepare the vineyard. The tenants (Israel) received a vineyard that only needed tending. Anyone who knew the history of Israel would recall how God called Abraham from his country and his people and brought him to a new country, and how God had brought Israel out of Egypt and given them the land of Canaan.
Representatives (v. 2). The landlord (God) sent a servant to the tenants. It is evident from the parable that the servants were the prophets. For the most part, the people of Israel did not doubt the legitimacy of the prophets or the fact that they spoke for God. The tenants knew who had sent the emissaries.
Rebellion (v. 3-5). The right thing to do would have been to give the servants a share of the produce to take to their master. This represents the obedience and worships God expected from his people. Instead, they beat up some prophets, killed others, and refused to give God his rightful share. It is not difficult to conclude that the landlord had a right to punish the tenants severely. We also have life and health and livelihood, all freely given by God. Have we shown our gratitude through obedience, or do we defy the servants of God who call us back to him?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.