Grace and Truth

I've been thinking on the concept of God's ownership for over a week.  This was the process from my morning devotion.  You may or may not agree with me but I'd like your comments if you wish to read and leave them.

Mark 12 

1 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard.  He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower.

I am the vineyard cleaned out and planted by God, prepared to be functional and productive.  He built a watchtower: a place where I can go to see what is coming, what to guard against, what to be open to.

Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.

I was left in charge, but others also have responsibility in my life.  I was not left alone in this charge.  I was given other people.  I was given tools.  We are not to be ‘onlys’ in God’s vineyard.

2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.

I am expected to tend what God planted in me.  He wanted to collect some of that fruit.  It is important that I and my fellow farmers are successful.  I should be weeding, watering, protecting that which God planted in me.  Others should be weeding, watering, protecting what God planted in me.  When I cannot be in the watchtower, someone should be there for me.  (and I for them)

3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

The messengers of God take many forms.  We must know who to let in and who is the enemy.  We must know when to give and when to protect.  The vineyard is our responsibility not our possession.  I am bought with a price. 

6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

What have I done with the messengers of God?  Why?  What have I done with the vineyard?  Have I been allowing predators to eat the vines and destroy the grapes?  Have I sold the grapes or given them away?  Am I guilty, ashamed, embarrassed?  Do I think of the messengers of God as my enemies?

9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do?

God owns the vineyard.  He bought it, planted it and outfitted it for his glory and joy.  He has been patient over time and given space and freedom to the farmers.  He expected fruit.

He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.

There is a sin not unto death.  There is a sin unto death.  Turn around, change your mind and action while it is still today.

10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:

“‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;

11 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

‘I will not do this for your sakes; for my name’s sake I will redeem you’  and yet can I believe that he will always fix the vineyard I neglect? 

12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

Will he always redeem and not condemn our actions?   GRACE and TRUTH, grace and truth.