Focus
Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.
Read
9 He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenants, and went to another country for a long time. 10 When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants in order that they might give him his share of the produce of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 Next he sent another slave; that one also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed. 12 And he sent still a third; this one also they wounded and threw out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Heaven forbid!” 17 But he looked at them and said, “What then does this text mean:
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.” 19 When the scribes and chief priests realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to lay hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people.
Reflect
The context of this passage is the treatment of the prophets and the son of God by the hard-headed Israelites. God planted a vineyard, gave it to the Israelites to tend and bear fruit, but instead they wanted the glory for themselves. Instead of being faithful, they began to rebel against their master. It is of note how their sin grew. At first, they were beating the messengers and kicking them out of the vineyard, but then it grew to murder the master’s son. This is how sin works. It starts with a thought, then grows into bad fruit.
What is the remedy? Repentance and accepting God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Repent before sin manifest itself in worse and worse ways.
After reflecting genuinely for a few minutes, how does it make you feel to know that Christ died for your sins?
Pray
God, we can be so hard-headed. We would rather be right than be in a good relationship. We would rather give to someone than spend time with them. We would rather talk about how to bring your kingdom to earth than take action to have it come about. Forgive us O God. We turn away from our sin and turn toward you. Guide us to follow the perfect example of your son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Go with God!
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