the vineyard - Mark 12:1-12

The Parable's Meaning ... In today's passage Jesus responds to the religious leaders' attack upon His authority by telling them a parable that describes both their own folly and their grim future. In Jesus' parable the vineyard represents Israel which belongs to God but is entrusted to the care of tenants who represent the religious leaders of Israel. These religious leaders are to tend and care for the vineyard (Israel) but instead they selfishly want the vineyard for themselves and abuse or kill every servant (prophet) sent to them by God. Jesus makes plain that they will also kill Him, the beloved Son of God.

The Folly of Israel's Leaders ... The folly of these men is obvious. Even though they are very religious, they are also very proud, selfish, violent, and hard-hearted men. They are not fulfilling their rightful call to watch over and care for Israel but instead are busy serving themselves. No one, not even the Son of God, they will allow to threaten their religious power and profits.

The Future of Israel's Leaders ... Jesus makes the future of these selfish men very certain when He says, "What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others" (vs. 9). In other similar passages where Jesus describes the future of Israel's leaders, He speaks of them being thrown into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth and of being sentenced to Hell (Matt. 8:11-12; 23:33). Israel's leaders would soon lose whatever power and wealth they were clinging to and find themselves under the terrible wrath of God. We can be certain that this same future awaits all who reject God's Son.

*Questions for Reflection:

1. Are any sinful qualities of Israel's leadership present in your life? If so, what will you do about it?

2. If the future for those who reject Jesus is Hell, then we should be certain we have received Him. Do you have this certainty?