The Gospel for this Sunday. Matthew 21:33-46 is known variously as the parable of the wicked husbandmen, or tenants, or vine dressers. In Jesus' story, a landowner plants a vineyard, rents it out, and goes to a distant place. At harvest time, the owner sends representatives to collect his portion of the produce, but the tenants resist, mistreat, and even kill the owner's employees. Finally, the owner gives the tenants a last chance and sends his son. However, the wicked tenants even kill the owner's son. The natural result of such actions will be the just destruction of such evil people.
Of course, the parable about the vineyard and the tenants concerns religion. It is about God's people and the kingdom of God. In the first century, it applies to religious leaders at Jerusalem. They have repeatedly rejected and mistreated messengers sent by the Lord God. Rather than submit to divine authority, these tenants eventually kill God's Son, Jesus Christ. And in doing so, they assure their own destruction.
Unfortunately, this pattern has been repeated and is still being repeated among professing Christians. Many who belong to the Church often start viewing it as their property rather than God's vineyard. They want to use it for their personal benefit, and they reject and abuse those who call on them to be responsible and loyal to God. Again and again, religious people have been disloyal to God and rejected His Son. Often they face worldly consequences in the decline of their organizations, but even more seriously, apart from repentance and acceptance of divine rule, they will face spiritual consequences as well.
As Christians, we should recognize that we are all God's tenants in this world. We owe God all that we are and all that we have. We should gratefully offer Him loyalty and service in all areas of life. We should respect the messengers He sends to us, most especially His Son Jesus Christ.
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