SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:1-12
When God speaks, it cuts into our hearts, exposing and challenging and healing us (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12).
Jesus is the Voice (Word) of God, and what He says cuts deep, like a surgeons scalpel.
The point of this story is a challenge, exposing their sinful, selfish hearts, how they are resisting God.
“They knew he had spoken the parable against them.”
Often when God speaks, it touches something deep inside of us… but how do we respond?
The best way to respond is with an open, humble heart, willing to learn and change and become what God desires.
But too often our natural response is with a closed, defensive heart.
We look for ways to evade the message, the conviction: we shift the focus, we make excuses, we justify the behaviour, we ridicule the speaker, we ignore the feelings, we blame others.
I guess it makes sense, if someone is coming at us with a knife, we should resist it…
Unless that knife is a surgeon’s scalpel, and the blade is seeking to root out a deadly cancer.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I often feel that You are speaking about me. And I often resist the spiritual knife, because it hurts. Help me to see that the pain is nothing compared to the thing You are trying to expose and cut out of me.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations/Application
This isn’t the first time we hear of the vineyard. It was also described in the Psalms and by the prophets. The tenants abused the purpose of the vineyard and claimed it as their own. The even killed the owner’s son so that they could claim the place as theirs, but it wasn’t.
This parable is he story of God’s people abusing their inheritance so that it will be given to others. There was no more restoration for the tenants/people. A total rejection and a new beginning in the vineyard by others. Creation restored.
The religious leaders knew He was speaking about them and yet they did not turn from their ways. Ouch.
As a follower of Christ I must use my gifts for His service each day and give Him the glory always. This is God’s world and I have the opportunity to work for Jesus, praising Him anew each day.
Prayer
Help me each day anew Lord to serve You in all things. Have it Thine way Lord for this is Your world. Use me as an instrument of Your peace.
Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love,
Where there is injury, Your pardon Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in You
Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope,
Where there is darkness – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy
Oh Master, grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood, as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all men that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life