“Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces,

and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” 

Last week may have been it. Government shutdown, calls for a presidential impeachment, a crisis continues at the border, floods where there haven’t been before. This country feels like it’s wallowing in a sink hole. Doesn’t God see this? How could someone from 2000 years ago ever speak hope in this tangled heap of a mess?

In some ways, the world seems to never change, never get better. Jesus saw it then, and God watches it now. When backed into a corner, Jesus used strong words at times, but altogether he was fair. You always knew where you stood with him. On the whole though, it’s easier to take his toughness when he calls out the source of chaos, but when he made it into a parable, sit up and pay close attention. He means it now maybe even more than he meant it then.

Corruption at the Top

The situation was almost too familiar. He’d said some things, done some things that challenged the leadership. They had tried to trip him up, but he was too smart for their ploys. Let’s face it; when you’re right, you can see through what the other side is attempting. It was more than clear that the leadership, both religious and political, made it their primary position to protect their place and power. Whoever got in the way would have to be disgraced before the people or removed from the scene. They were out to get him. They would be successful in that. But Jesus would expose their motives before going down.

A Chateau Tale

His story portrays a landowner with a vineyard. Stop right there. The crowd already knew what this meant. The prophets had compared Israel as God’s vineyard. They also knew what it took to have a good vineyard, hard work over a long time with no profit being made while the vines developed and grapes matured. Furthermore, it needed to be planted in a place where there was peace and stability, no threats of enemy destruction. It was a work of hope, and it represented what the people wanted in their own lives and land.

In this vineyard the harvest was finally ready. It should have been a time of celebration, a toasting of all the good wine that would be packaged, sold, and stored for another good day. The landowner sends his servants to bring home his share of the crop. Twice. Things get ugly. Those who had been caring for the vineyard abuse and kill the servants. It’s clear their violence must be met with a stronger effort.

Insurrection by Murder

But when the landowner’s son shows up, those who had been in charge show their true motives. “Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!” So they murdered the son, a coup d’état where power is changed illegally or by force.

Jesus doesn’t give the story a happy ending. It stops there. Roused in the listeners was a need for justice. This shouldn’t happen in anybody’s vineyard, let alone among your own people. Jesus throws out the question: What should happen to these murderers of the landowner’s son, those who would overtake the place that was chosen by God for Israel to live, to prosper in this place? What will the landowner do when he shows up to bring justice?

Inculpatory Judgement

“He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.” So said the religious leaders, not Jesus.

Ever say something without thinking, make a comment that incriminates yourself because you were led to protest a wrong and not have insight to realize your place in it?

The Cost of Grace

We know what will happen in this story. Before the week is finished, the landowner’s son will die a cruel and horrible death on a cross. The religious leaders of the day were players in making that happen. Their statement damns them. But Jesus didn’t.

The landowner was willing to do whatever it took to bring the caretakers of the vineyard to live and do what was expected. The landowner was not going to take it all away but rather allow them to be blessed by their labor, returning only a share of the crop. When the caretakers in effect claimed the vineyard and its profit all for themselves, the landowner sent the one who would be his best representative and bring what he hoped for them. Violence and injustice was their response.

Jesus turns the story on his enemies. Quoting an ancient Psalm, he says, “The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22-23) “What I mean is that the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit.”

"A nation that will produce the proper fruit." Jesus means it today as much as he meant it then. View the vineyard as a nation, a church, a political or social movement, or even a family. Just know to whom the vineyard really belongs. The caretakers of these vineyards need always be mindful of who is the real owner and what the owner expects. From this vineyard should come good fruit, fruit that has been planted to bring its people provision and celebration.

Those who would take over the vineyard for their own purposes will eventually resort to seizing control by abuse, violence, and the need to dominate and rid opponents in whatever way they can. Some would even kill God or God’s messenger to make that happen. Their destructive schemes though one day will be the stone that breaks and crushes them into pieces.

Injustice eventually turns on itself.

Watch this though: in the vineyard there is forgiveness and redemption. The fruit of the vine produces wine, and the wine in a cup is the blood of the one who is the landowner’s son.   When killed, the landowner brings back the son, resurrected, forgiving, merciful and offering grace despite what we have done to him. To drink from that cup is to accept the Son from whom that blood flowed.

“This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous to see.”

Matthew 21:33-46

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