This is an excerpt from my book “40 Moments From Christ’s Final Days.” Click here to get it from Amazon using my affiliate link.
Find this moment in: Mt. 21:28-22:14, Mk. 12:1-12, Lk. 20:9-19
After reclaiming some amount of holiness for God’s temple, Luke 21:37 shows Jesus spent His last days balancing teaching at the temple during the day and going to the Mount of Olives in the evening. Matthew 21:28-22:14 takes us to a few moments at the temple where He shared three stories, called “parables,” meant to show a more profound truth. Take time to read them yourself, but below is a summary.
One involves two sons. A father told one son, “Go work the vineyard.” This son refused at first, then eventually changed his mind and went out to the vineyard. He told the second son the same thing, to which the son said, “I’ll go!” but never did. In asking which son did his father’s will, the crowd agreed it was the first son. Christ responded by pointing out that the most undesirable people in their community, the prostitutes and tax collectors, saw the truth of Jesus and responded. At the same time, the rest of Israel refused while still acting like they were obedient to God.
The second story involves a vineyard again, but this time the landowner hired people to work it while he was away. When the owner sent servants to collect what had grown, the workers beat and killed them. Understanding the workers may not respect the authority of servants, the owner sent his son to represent the owner to the workers. With more malice in their hearts, they killed the son and intended to steal his inheritance. When Jesus asked the crowd what the owner should do to these men, everyone agreed the owner should execute them and give the land to obedient workers.
The third story involves the death of servants again. This time, a king invites people to a grand wedding feast. Some of the king’s subjects ignored the invitation, while others killed the king’s servants. This time, Jesus doesn’t ask what should happen next. He tells them that the king sends servants to destroy these people, then invites commoners and undesirables to the feast.
Remember where Jesus is right now. He’s in the temple, either in the Court of the Gentiles or in the Jewish part of the temple, which can only be reached by walking through that courtyard. Either way, the chastisement of how the religious leaders treated God’s offer of salvation to the Gentiles was still fresh in many minds.
These stories are different, but the messages are all loud and clear. He reminded them that God the Father had chosen Israel to be His people. He called them to obedience, but in the end, only the most undesirable people in their society, including tax collectors and prostitutes, obeyed. He sent them prophets that were either ignored or killed. The Son of God was standing before them right now, giving them one final call to obedience and salvation.
Like the second son, they acknowledged without obedience. Like the workers, they were going to kill the Son to secure the lifestyle they wanted. And, like the king, God would judge Israel and extend His offer to the rest of the world.
Israel, especially its leaders, wanted a religious life that offered them comfort, prestige, and power. They wanted the good things of God while also rejecting Him. Jesus was their final opportunity to show a growing harvest to God. Instead, they rejected Him and brought God’s judgment upon themselves.
This should be heartbreaking for the listeners. However, Romans 11 is a beautiful reminder of God’s plan for Israel and the Gentiles. Right now, the gospel is spreading worldwide while much of Israel continues to reject God. But, as Romans 11:25-26 reminds us, “a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved.”
The father, vineyard owner, and king sent Jesus to call Israel to obedience. In response, they were going to kill Him to protect themselves. They were fruitless, unfaithful, and wicked. But God loves all of His people, whether Gentile or rebellious Israelite, and will save them through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Stop and think: As with Israel in the past, God calls people to respond to Him today. Our first response must be to turn from our sins and trust Jesus Christ for salvation. But after that, God still calls us to holy living. Examine your heart and life and examine the areas you’re walking in obedience and the areas you’re like the son who said, “I’ll go!” without obeying.
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