The Inheritance

“But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ”                           Luke 20.14

The parable so clearly reflects the work of God’s Kingdom. The various servants the master sent to the tenants of the vineyard came to the Israelites in the prophets of the Old Testament. But their message went unheeded. Jesus Himself personifies the Son and it is amazing that He should be relating this story practically on the eve of His crucifixion.

The twist comes, however, with the death of the son. The vineyard tenants said, “Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” In reality, the Jews killed Jesus and, in so doing, released us to receive the inheritance. We can truly say, “the inheritance is ours!”

But even today many ignore the message, and the offer. The Lord’s servants continue to visit the vineyard, but so many of the workers are self-absorbed and consumed with other things.

The Son has come, and been horrendously killed. The message is there for all to hear and receive. May God strengthen the messengers and bring the people to hear, and respond.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the sacrifice You made for each one of us. I thank You that I have been able to respond.

I pray for those who remain out of relationship with You. I pray for them and the messengers that You send. Strengthen the messengers, Lord, and give them the right words to speak forth and the right deeds to enact. Work, if You will, on the hearers. Soften their hearts to receive the message of love. Draw them to You, for there is no other way they will come.

Lord, You said You would build Your church. May we see this happen as we go forward with You. Thank You for the cross. May its message reach all, and impact them positively.          Amen.