Tenants in the Vineyard (Matthew 21: 33-45, Mark 12: 1-12, and Luke 20: 9-19)
No doubt, the parable is subversive and we can see that from the reactions of the chief priest and Pharisees.
The parable posts a great challenge and need careful study. In most cases today, it was the owner who is manipulating the poor tenants. The tenants are the one who are tossing and twisting by landlord. Now, certainly we are not identifying with errant tenants in the vineyard. The great challenge here for a pastor is “where can we fit in to the parable?” We are neither tenants nor the owner. Who are we then? We are other tenants who will be given the vineyard by the Landlord! How can we draw meaning and purpose from such subversive parable is a great challenge. In the present world, the resemblances we can observe with that of the errant tenants are our politicians and those big business people who are money mongers. In some way, they are entrusted with responsibilities by God. In Jesus times, chief priest and Pharisees were the “tenants”; entrusted to take care of God’s people – His vineyard. They killed God’s servants – the prophets; who were sent to take account of their works. Jesus in this parable was foretelling about His death and they (those tenants) are going to be part of that scheme. When Jesus was telling the truth, chief priest and Pharisees sense the problem. It is happening in our very world today. Whosoever is speaking the truth, the “tenants” will make sure to it that it will not go any further. But the truth can’t be withheld forever.
This parable is also a hope for those peasants who have been dispossessed of their land. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Though Jesus did not affirmed outrightly to the answer of the disciple, somehow He agreed to some extent. In what manner God will deal with them is not certain but one thing we can be sure of is that ‘they will be remove’ and justice will be done. The same privilege will be given to others who will “bring forth the fruits thereof”. We will bring forth the fruits thereof and give what is due to the Landlord and warmly welcome those servants send by the Landlord and will honor His son to the utmost high.
The parable posts a great challenge and need careful study. In most cases today, it was the owner who is manipulating the poor tenants. The tenants are the one who are tossing and twisting by landlord. Now, certainly we are not identifying with errant tenants in the vineyard. The great challenge here for a pastor is “where can we fit in to the parable?” We are neither tenants nor the owner. Who are we then? We are other tenants who will be given the vineyard by the Landlord! How can we draw meaning and purpose from such subversive parable is a great challenge. In the present world, the resemblances we can observe with that of the errant tenants are our politicians and those big business people who are money mongers. In some way, they are entrusted with responsibilities by God. In Jesus times, chief priest and Pharisees were the “tenants”; entrusted to take care of God’s people – His vineyard. They killed God’s servants – the prophets; who were sent to take account of their works. Jesus in this parable was foretelling about His death and they (those tenants) are going to be part of that scheme. When Jesus was telling the truth, chief priest and Pharisees sense the problem. It is happening in our very world today. Whosoever is speaking the truth, the “tenants” will make sure to it that it will not go any further. But the truth can’t be withheld forever.
This parable is also a hope for those peasants who have been dispossessed of their land. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Though Jesus did not affirmed outrightly to the answer of the disciple, somehow He agreed to some extent. In what manner God will deal with them is not certain but one thing we can be sure of is that ‘they will be remove’ and justice will be done. The same privilege will be given to others who will “bring forth the fruits thereof”. We will bring forth the fruits thereof and give what is due to the Landlord and warmly welcome those servants send by the Landlord and will honor His son to the utmost high.
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