Weekly Devotional 

The Vinedressers

Matthew 21:33
(Jen Brown 3-20-26)

Have you ever loaned something to someone only to have it returned in a less-than-cared-for-condition?  Maybe the item was damaged or, perhaps, it was just dirty and worn. Maybe you never received it back at all.  When loaning out an item you expect it to be appreciated and cared for appropriately.   How much more does an employer expect an employee to fulfill and take care of the duties he is paid to be responsible for?

In Matthew 21, verses 33 to 44, Jesus once again taught by a parable.  In the temple in front of the chief priests and elders, he told of a landowner who planted a vineyard with a hedge, wine press and a tower.  This landowner hired some vinedressers to manage the vineyard.  When the time for harvest came, the landowner sent his servants to the vineyard to collect the produce, but those who were hired to manage the vineyard, took his servants and beat one, killed one and stoned one. The landowner sent servants a second time.  Once again they were treated in the same manner.  Finally, the landowner sent his son, saying “They will respect my son.”  But the vinedressers saw an opportunity to take the vineyard for themselves by killing the son, which they proceeded to do.

Jesus then asked “Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”  Those who responded said that “He will destroy those wicked men miserably and lease vineyard to other vinedressers who will render him fruits in their seasons.”  Jesus turned their attention to Psalm 118:22-23, “The stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes.” Then he told them that “the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”

Jesus is addressing the Jewish religious leaders directly. God made them responsible for caring for Israel, and for leading them in the ways of God, thus bearing fruit.  When he sent the prophets they beat, killed and stoned them, repeatedly.   Jesus as the Son of God predicted what they are about to do to Him, something he knew was already brewing in the evil of their hearts.  They desired to kill Jesus and keep the power for themselves.  It was a desire motivated by their own selfishness, but it sprung from the pit of hell as satan himself desired to rule over God.  Jesus then tells them that for a punishment, He will take the kingdom away from them and give it to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 

Over time kingdoms have risen and fallen.  For a time and a season, the kingdom of God has spread throughout Gentile regions of the world. Nations like the United States have fostered and promoted the gospel and faithfully shed the light of the truth abroad.  But any people or nation rejecting the truth of the Gospel and the Word of God will be crushed to powder by the power of God.  A person, or even a nation, knowing the truth of Christ and rejecting Him, places himself (itself) in the same position as the religious leaders of Jesus’s day.  As caretakers of the God’s kingdom here on Earth, may we all be careful to be excellent stewards of the Gospel and bearers of Jesus’ name!

Have a blessed week in Him,
Jen Brown