Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:33-46
The parable interprets itself. The people of Israel were familiar with the use of a vineyard as an image or illustration of themselves. The prophets had employed it. It is easy to explain the parable in its historical sense, but it has a reference also to us. God is continually planting vineyards and leaving them in the care of husband-men. He has placed one in your care — it is your own life. He has placed in it many vines, which, if well tended and cultivated, will produce rich fruits. He has put a hedge about it, the walls and defenses of your own home and of the Church, and the restraints and safeguards of Christian friendships associations. You were not born in a heathen land, your life open and unfenced like a public common, to be trodden down by every unholy foot. God has made every provision for His vineyard that is necessary for its fruitfulness. It is well watered — the influences of Divine grace flow all through your life. He has done for His vineyard all that could be done. It is yours now to keep and care for, not as owner, but as tenant. You are not your own; you belong to Christ (see 1 Cor.6:19); your life is His, and you are to keep it and cultivate it for Him. You are really one of God’s tenants. He has “assigned” to you a little vineyard, for whose care and cultivation you are responsible. Ye He does not compel you to obey Him, to keep your heart, to bring forth fruit; you are free, but He holds you accountable for the way you keep your vineyard.
The analogy is followed: “when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.” This is the way the husbandmen were to pay their rent; they were to give to the owner each year a certain proportion of the fruits of the vineyard. God expects us to return something to Him of the fruits of the vineyard He has assigned to us. It belongs to Him, and he has done all that needs to be done to render it fruitful. He expects a proper “rental.” The rental of this vineyard was to be paid, not in money, but in the fruit of the vineyard itself. This is suggestive. God is not satisfied with the mere giving to Him of money or of a portion of the earthly possessions that may belong to us. Of course, our money is part of our vineyard and should pay rent, too; a share of its fruit or earnings should be returned to God, to whom it all actually belongs. But the vineyard proper is our own life and we are to pay our rental to God, the owner, in the fruits of our life, in love, obedience, worship, honor, service. No amount of money will ever satisfy God if we do not also love Him and do His will.
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