Text: Mark 12:1-12
Key Verse: "What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others" (Mark 12:9).
In a book entitled "Down to Earth", John Lawrence tells the story of a city that dared God. It seems that the city of Messina, Sicily, was home to many wicked, irreligious people. On December 25, 1908, a newspaper published in Messina printed a parody against God, daring Him to make Himself known by sending an earthquake. Three days later, on December 28, the city and its surrounding district was devastated by a terrible quake that killed 84,000 people.
Christ tells a parable in our text which illustrates the judgment of God coming upon those who oppose Him and rebel against His word. In this parable, we are introduced to these husbandmen who were given the responsibility of tending a vineyard. They soon appropriated the fruits to themselves and resisted every attempt to render any account. They beat up all the servants sent to them by the owner of the vineyard and finally killed his well-beloved son.
These actions prompted the owner of the vineyard to destroy them and give the field to others who would be responsible and accountable. The parable illustrates the wickedness of the Israelites who slew the prophets that were sent unto them by God to demand that they bring forth fruits of righteousness. This was an act of disregard for God. It was as if they pointed their fingers at God’s face. The consequences would be devastating. Jesus had said in Matthew 23:35 that "upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar". The Lord demands that we bear the fruit of righteousness and be ready to give account of all the talents He has bestowed upon us. Those who act lawlessly now as if there’s no God will soon face the reality of their folly.
Thought for the day: Do not dare God by continuing in sin.
Bible Reading in one Year: Numbers 3-4
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