Parable of the Vinedressers

Chapter 89

PARABLE OF THE VINEDRESSERS

Matthew 21:33-46

Before we begin our study of the “Parable of the Vinedressers” let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, Almighty God,

We come before You in Jesus Christ’s holy name. Father, we ask You to please open our ears, eyes and heart so we can truly hear, see and understand this parable. Father, as we do begin to comprehend what You are teaching us please help us to heed its message. In addition, please move upon us to rededicate ourselves to love You, Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and Your Word with our whole heart, soul and mind.

Amen

INTRODUCTION

We begin our study by reading from,

Matthew 21:33-40

[33] “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. [34] Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. [35] And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. [36] Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. [37] Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ [38] But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ [39] So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. [40] “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

To help better understand this parable along with the responses of the Chief Priests and Pharisees we will,

1. Address the question of; “Who do the people of the parable represent?”

2. Explore the message of the parable as it related to the citizens of Israel.

3. Review the response of the Chief Priests and Pharisees.

4. Read a message from this parable as it relates to the Christians who are not of Jewish or Hebrew descent. In other words, the Gentiles.

To see who the various people within the above parable represent, we will address the following

SIX QUESTIONS

To do this we begin with,

1. Who is the landowner? Answer: God

To see this let us read from,

Colossians 1:16

[16] For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

2. What or who was the Vineyard? Answer: Israel

To see this let us read from,

Isaiah 5:7a

[7a] … the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel,

And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant.

3. What was the vintage-time, which means the time for the harvest? Answer: The gathering of Israel to God

To see this let us read what Jesus said as He entered into Jerusalem for the last time. To do this we go to,

Luke 13:34

[34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

4. Who are the vinedressers? Answer: First of all, it is important to note that the vinedressers were responsible to cultivate, prune and then harvest the vineyard. Thus, the vinedressers of the parable represent the Levites, priests and parents. These are the people God gave the responsibility to cultivate (read and teach God’s Word), prune (correct or exhort) and harvest (strengthen and encourage) the people of Israel in their relationship with God.

To see this we begin with

THE LEVITES

As we read the Old Testament we find that God appointed the Levites, who are the people from the tribe of Levi, to care for the Temple and the needs of the people. To see this let us read from,

Numbers 3:6-10a

[6] “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. [7] And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle. [8] Also they shall attend to all the furnishings of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle. [9] And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to him from among the children of Israel. [10] So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood; ...”

Let us notice the following verses,

6 … They were to serve, which means to help, Aaron.

7-8 … In addition to attending to the needs of Aaron, the Levites were also to attend to the needs of the people. Specifically, the Levites were charged with the responsibility to help Aaron and the people of Israel by performing the various activities for the maintenance and upkeep of the Temple and its furnishings. To read about some of their duties during Israel’s exodus from Egypt, please read Numbers 4:1-33.

10 … God also told Moses that Aaron and his sons were to attend the duties of their priesthood. Thus, we come to some of the responsibilities of

THE PRIESTS

In addition to offering, on behalf of the people, the various sacrifices and offerings to God, they were also to teach and instruct the people of Israel in the laws of God. For example, at the end of every seven years, during the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests were commanded to read God’s Word to all the people. This command is recorded in,

Deuteronomy 31:9-13

[9] So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. [10] And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, [11] when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. [12] Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, [13] and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”

THE PARENTS

As we read the Old Testament we also discover that it was the responsibility of the parents to constantly teach their children and grandchildren God’s Laws and Statutes. Even though this command is recorded in various places within the Old Testament let us read from,

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

[4] “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! [5] You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. [6] “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.[8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

With all this in mind let us now move on to the next question,

5. Who are the servants? Answer: The Prophets

To see this let us read what their mission was. To do this we go to,

2 Kings 17:13

[13] Yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.”

Unfortunately, the citizens of Israel would not listen to God’s messengers. To read about how they turned away from God and His Word we go to,

2 Kings 17:14-17

[14] Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God. [15] And they rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols, became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them that they should not do like them. [16] So they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. [17] And they caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and soothsaying, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger.

Not only did the Israelites not listen to God’s chosen prophets, they also severely afflicted them. To see this let us read two examples. The first example we will read about is how the Israelites treated

THE PROPHET MICAIAH

To do this let us read from,

1 Kings 22:26-28

[22] So the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son; [27] and say, ‘Thus says the king: “Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction, until I come in peace.”’” [28] But Micaiah said, “If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Take heed, all you people!”

Our second example is how they treated,

THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH

To read what the Israelites did to Zechariah, let us go to,

2 Chronicles 24:17-21

[17] Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. [18] Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass. [19] Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen. [20] Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’” [21] So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord.

Let us now move on to the sixth and last question.

6. Who is the Son? Answer: Jesus Christ

To see this we begin by reading the testimony John the Baptist gave with respect to who Jesus was/is. To do this let us read from,

John 1:32-34

[32] And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. [33] I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ [34] And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

As we read earlier, one of the main reasons God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to earth was to gather the people of Israel. To refresh our memories let read what Jesus said as it is recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew. To do this we go to,

Matthew 23:37-39

[37] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! [38] See! Your house is left to you desolate; [39] for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

However, as it was with God’s prophets; they also did away with Jesus Christ. To refresh our memories let us read a summary of what happened as it was written by Mark. To do this we go to,

Mark 15:1-15

[1] Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. [2] Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” [3] And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. [4] Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” [5] But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. [6] Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. [7] And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. [8] Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. [9] But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” [10] For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. [11] But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. [12] Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” [13] So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” [14] Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” [15] So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

With the above foundation and insight let us now reread the “Parable of the Vinedressers.”

Matthew 21:33-40

This brings us to,

THE MESSAGE OR APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE AS IT RELATED TO THE ISRAELITES

As we continue reading the Gospel according to Matthew we discover that the Chief Priests and Pharisees answered Jesus’ question for us. To see this let us read the response given by the Chief Priests and the message of the parable. To do this we go to,

Matthew 21:41

[41] They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

Let us now carefully read Jesus’ response and see how He: (1) confirmed the response of the Chief Priests and (2) foretold of the blessings that would be bestowed upon the non Jewish people, the Gentiles.

Matthew 21:42-44

[42] Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

‘The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone.

This was the Lord’s doing,

And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

[43] “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. [44] And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

With Jesus’ stern warning in mind, let us read,

THE RESPONSE OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND PHARISEES

It is interesting to note that the Chief Priests and Pharisees knew Jesus was talking about them. This is recorded for us in,

Matthew 21:45

[45] Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.

However, instead of taking heed to what Jesus said, the Chief Priests and Pharisees did not repent. In fact, they actually took the actions to bring about the fulfillment of the consequence of Jesus’ warning. To see this let read what the Holy Spirit said, through the Apostle Paul and Barnabas, to the Jews in Pisdian Antioch. To read what was said we go to,

Acts 13:44-48

[44] On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. [45] But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. [46] Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. [47] For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,

That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’’

[48] Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Let us notice the following verses,

44 … The inhabitants of the city of Pisdian Antioch knew that Paul and Barnabas were speaking the Word of God.

45 … On the other hand, because a great many people were listening to Paul’s preaching and teaching the Jews became envious. Instead of receiving the Word of God they came against or refuted what the Apostle Paul was telling them.

46-47 … By rejecting the Word of God the Holy Spirit, through Paul and Barnabas, said that these Jews had judged themselves to be unworthy of everlasting life. In other words, these contentious and unbelieving Jews condemned themselves. Consequently, as the Lord commanded, Paul and Barnabas were now going to speak to the Gentiles, who were the non Jewish people.

48 … Upon hearing this, the Gentiles were glad and glorified the Word of God. In addition, many believed the good news of Jesus Christ and received eternal life in Him.

This now brings us to the born again Christian. Specifically; “How does this parable relate to us, the Christian?” To find out let us now explore,

A MESSAGE FOR TODAY’S GENTILE CHRISTIAN

As one would expect, for today’s Christian there are several messages or applications of this parable. However, for this study we will focus upon the message or application that is directed to the Christian who is not of Jewish or Hebrew heritage. The message or application for these born again Christians is provided for us in Chapter 11 of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. To read what Paul wrote we go to,

Romans 11:1-36

[1] I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,

[3] “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?

[4] But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

In other words, not every Jewish person was cast away. More specifically, God told Elijah that He saved 7,000 men for Himself. It is the same with us, the true born again believer in Jesus Christ. As the New Testament teaches us, it is by God’s Grace and Mercy we, both the Gentile and Jewish Christ, have not been cast away but have been gathered into His Kingdom. To see this let us read from,

Ephesians 2:4-10

[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), [6] and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

To expand upon this further we return to the letter to the Romans and continue our reading from,

Romans 11:5-10

[5] Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. [6] And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. [7] What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. [8] Just as it is written:

“God has given them a spirit of stupor,

Eyes that they should not see

And ears that they should not hear,

To this very day.”

[9] And David says:

“Let their table become a snare and a trap,

A stumbling block and a recompense to them.

[10] Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always.”

With the above in mind, let us now proceed and read God’s purpose for Israel’s rejection. To do this we continue our reading from,

Romans 11:11-15

[11] I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. [12] Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! [13] For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, [14] if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. [15] For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

In other words, God’s gift of salvation was not only given to us for our good and benefit but was also intended to provoke the Jewish people to be jealous of the Gentile’s salvation. Paul’s hope was that, perhaps this jealousy would motivate the Jew to accept and receive, by faith, Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Even though we, the born again Christian, are the recipients of God’s Grace and Mercy and are blessed more than we can imagine, the Holy Spirit warns us to not be haughty and not to boast about the rejection of Israel. To read the Holy Spirit’s warning we go to,

Romans 11:16-21

[16] For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. [17] And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, [18] do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. [19] You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” [20] Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.

Let us now prayerfully read the point or message God the Holy Spirit is giving you and me, the Christian. As we read, please give serious consideration to His instruction. With this in mind we now continue by reading from,

Romans 11:22-27

[22] Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. [23] And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. [24] For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? [25] For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. [26] And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,

And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; [27] For this is My covenant with them,

When I take away their sins.”

CLOSING

Let us now close this study by reading the following summary of what we just covered.

Romans 11:28-36

[28] Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. [29] For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. [30] For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, [31] even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. [32] For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. [33] Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

[34] “For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has become His counselor?”

[35] “Or who has first given to Him

And it shall be repaid to him?”

[36] For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Shall We Pray?

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