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In our studies in Luke Chapter 20, we have reached that horrendous stage in the lives of these religious leaders when Jesus Christ has nothing more to say to them. They have been questioning Jesus authority, and to begin with, Jesus did not answer their questions directly, but now He goes on to give a fuller answer. But notice that Jesus has turned to speak to the people. He will speak to ordinary people, who are open to hear, but will not persist with religious leaders who are closed to Almighty God and what Jesus, the Son of God, is saying and doing. All this is taking place in Jerusalem a few days before Jesus goes to the Cross.

"A man planted a vineyard." Now it is a parable, and the man in the parable is God., and the vineyard is Israel, and God the Father rented out the vineyard to farmers - to priests - to the Jewish leaders - with one aim - to produce fruit.

The owner went away - but at harvest time - at regular intervals - He would send servants to collect the fruit, and we know that the servants referred to are the prophets.

God sends a prophet, and He sends the prophet to those whose main concern should have been the spiritual welfare of the people of God.

We have seen that God is always looking for fruit, and He has done everything to make sure that our vineyard can be fruitful.

God the Father has given us Jesus - this Word - the Power of the Holy Spirit - authority in His Name – intimate Fellowship in the Church of Jesus Christ.

He has not just given us all this just for us to be blessed. He has given us all this for the harvest - so that we can produce fruit - and He looks to see if we are using His gifts, responsibly, fully, wisely.

In verses 10 to 12, Jesus is covering a whole sweep of history.

God sends prophets, a succession of prophets, but those in responsible positions would not receive the prophets of God. The leaders of the people rejected the man God sent - beat him - and sent him away empty. Now, study the text carefully.

Verse 11. The owner of the vineyard sends another servant - another prophet - and he is not received - but rejected - beaten - shamefully treated - and sent away empty-handed.

Another is sent. They wounded him, and threw him out.

Would you have kept sending prophet after prophet? What a picture of God's Amazing Grace! What mercy and love and concern and compassion and forgiveness!

God forgives these leaders, and on He goes lovingly taking the initiative. God perseveres in trying to break through the circle of pride, hardness, rebellion and sin.

Verse 13. What shall I do? Can you imagine God saying that! "I will send my son - whom I love - perhaps they will respect Him."

Now do you see how Jesus is answering that initial question about His authority?

I am the Son. I am the Son of the Owner. My Authority comes from My Father.

When the Son came, the irresponsible religious leaders saw Him, and said among themselves – (oh, it is important what we say among ourselves, especially when we might think no-one outside our circle is listening) - "This is the heir - if we kill the Son, the vineyard will be ours one day."

These Jerusalem leaders knew that Jesus was the Son of God, and Jesus knew that they were determined to kill Him. Jesus knew what was going to happen.

What do we do with God's servants today? What do we do with the prophets He raises up? What do we do with the men He sends? What do we do with the Son when He draws near? What do we do when The Holy Spirit is poured out?

Killing the Son means having to face the Father.

What will the Lord of the vineyard do? He shall come and destroy them, and He shall give the vineyard to others. This is nothing other than righteous judgement. God in His Love and Mercy and Compassion is so Faithful - and He is equally Faithful in Judgement.

God does not let people get away with things for ever. The vineyard has been given to someone else, and that is why we Gentiles do not worship in a synagogue.

When they heard this, they said - "No - Never - Not on your life". They were shocked - appalled. God does not let people off for ever. The vineyard will not be lost, because He planted it.

What God plants, God cares for. If God does not plant something - if He does not initiate a work - He is under no obligation to bless that work. This is why we know the Church of Jesus Christ will never be destroyed, because it is Jesus Who builds it. It is His and His alone.

There will be things which will vanish - which people thought would never disappear- the Temple for one thing - where Jesus is teaching – “NEVER!” - and within 40 years it had gone.

That is why it is so vital to be rooted and grounded in Christ, and totally committed to the local fellowship of believers.

Jesus looked at them and quotes from Psalm 118 - the Psalm they had been singing the previous day. Jesus always supported what He said from the Word - always - and always backed up what He did from the Word.

We too have to be careful as to what we sing. Jesus may quote it to us the next day, or during the next week.

Jesus draws a picture of builders looking at a stone. It is this very stone they need, but they somehow cannot fit it into their plans, so they reject it, and yet it is the most important stone. Of course, what Jesus is saying is - You get rid of ME - You get rid of this Son - and I will come back. The Temple is finished. It is all going to be built on Me now. If we reject His mercy - then, we come under His Judgement.

They knew Jesus was referring to them. If we refuse the Son we have to face the Father.

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

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