Israel’s Rejection of God

Luke 20:9-16

When I first went to college, computers were not widely available because of their expense and size. Very few programs were available for the ones there were. Since it was recognized that engineers would be using them, part of the curriculum included a course in programming, using Fortran IV. While I understood how to write the programs, I had no idea what they actually did or why it mattered until my senior year when, in the advanced programming class, we got to see and use a computer. Finally we were not just talking about a theory, but of giving instructions to an actual machine that could carry them out.

Story telling is very much like a demonstration of the computer in that it lets us apply what we are learning to a real situation in a physical sense. Even when the story is only an illustration, it gives some concrete reference points, enabling us to more completely grasp what is taught. It is a major reason Jesus used so many parables. In addition, even those who have no interest in the subject matter can still enjoy the story. While many would have no understanding of the meaning of this parable, they could still enjoy it. While Luke gives no explanation of this parable, Mark 4:33-34 tells us that Jesus always explained them in detail to his apostles.

“Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.” (Luke 20:9)

In this parable, the landowner represents the Lord. He had planted and established a vineyard, Israel, in the world. He then put others, the various kings and priests, in charge to care for it until he returned, knowing that he would be absent for a long period. They were to give him a portion of the results in exchange for the use of his vineyard.

“And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.” (Luke 20:10)

When it came time to pay their share, refused to pay up, beating up the ones sent to collect the rent. Throughout their history, Israel regularly refused to obey God, frequently killing the prophets sent to remind them of their covenant. God sent numerous prophets to warn them.

“And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.” (Luke 20:11-12)

In a final effort to get them to fulfill their agreement with God, he sent his own son, Jesus Christ to offer them clemency it they would just pay what was owed. He recognized the risk but wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.

“Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.” (Luke 20:13)

They could use the excuse that the other collectors, the profits, might not have the authority to collect from them. It would be very hard to deny the son’s right to collect however since he was the heir and ultimate owner of it all.

"But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours." (Luke 20:14)

The renters saw it as an opportunity to get rid of any claims by he owner and take it for themselves. Since he’d have no heir, it wouldn’t be worth fighting for. Israel’s leaders saw killing Jesus as a way of cementing their control over Israel, by getting rid of the one who challenged their actions, ignoring their covenant with God.

“So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them? He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.” (Luke 20:15)

The people could not believe that anyone would be so crooked as to so such a thing. Would a landowner who’d been done that way ever take out a contract with anyone else? Jesus then uses the illustration of a stone that the regular masons rejected as not fitting into their wall as being the one the master mason, God, used to key his entire wall from. Other stones dropped on it will break, but if it falls on a lesser stone, it will crush it.

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. “ (Luke 20:17-18)

Refusing to give God his due will result in opposition by God just as the refusal to pay angered the landowner. Destroying his son, however will anger him to the point of destroying them. The leaders of Israel became even more determined to get rid of him as a result.

“And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.” (Luke 20:19)

While some of the people may not have understood the parable, the leaders clearly did, and would have killed him on the spot if they dared.