This Is The Heir

In three of the four Gospel accounts, including Matthew 21:33-45, we read about the Parable of the Tenants.

Jesus said,

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 34 When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

35 “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. 36 Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37 Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

38 “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

- Matthew 21:33-40

Jesus is teaching in the temple courts, and the time for Jesus to be arrested, persecuted, and crucified is coming near. As a result, His teaching was bold, and His message was poignant.

In this parable, Jesus talks about a landowner (God) who plants a vineyard (Israel) and rents the vineyard out to tenants (the Jewish people), who are expected to care for the vineyard. When it was time for the harvest, the owner (God) sent His servants (the prophets to Israel) to collect the fruit, but they were rejected (just as Israel had consistently rejected the prophets God sent to them). The owner (God) continued to send servants (prophets) to collect, but each was treated the same way. Finally, the owner (God) decided to send His own Son (Jesus), whom He loved, thinking, “Surely they will respect my Son.” But, when the tenants (the Jewish people) saw the Son (Jesus), they said, “This is the heir. Let’s kill him and we will be in control (our religion, power and influence will flourish).” So, they took the Son (Jesus) and killed Him.

Jesus then asked, “What do you think the owner (God) of the vineyard (Israel) will do with those tenants (the Jewish people)?”

As Jesus concludes the parable, He explains that, because the Jewish people rejected and killed the Son, it will not result in their religion, power, and influence increasing, but quite the opposite will occur. For what the Jewish leaders and people did not realize is that this is the Heir (Jesus) of the Most High God, and this Heir will overcome death, rise victoriously, and establish a new Kingdom, in the vineyard and beyond, for all those who accept, rather than reject, Him.

As Lent continues and we approach Holy Week, we, too, have a choice to make - to reject the Heir (Jesus) and seek to run our own kingdom where we have power, control, and influence or accept and believe in the One who is the Heir of God, who came to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins and bring a new Kingdom to earth where He rules… with love and grace and mercy.

Which do you choose to do? Who is on the throne of your life? Is it you or is it Jesus?

Pastor Ken

‍