Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Lenten Devotionals from our DS's wife Robbie Craker

The Story of the Greedy Farmhands

"Here's another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.

"The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away. The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment. The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. 'Surely,' he thought, 'they will respect my son.'

"But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. 'This is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all for ourselves.' They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him.

"Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?"

"He'll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time."

Jesus said, "Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:

The stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone.
This is God's work;
we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!
"This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed."
--Matthew 21:33-44 (The Message)

All three synoptic gospels have this as the parable Jesus tells following the great celebration – Palm Sunday. All three record the withering of the fig tree and the authority of Jesus being questioned - and then this story. We might feel safe – we’re not the people Jesus is talking about. He’s talking about the Pharisees.
Some people look around at the church of today and say it is full of Pharisees. Be careful. It goes both ways – you could be one who is willing to destroy others to have the “vineyard” to yourself. Or you could be the one who feels called to protect the “vineyard” – not even letting the workers in.
This story, apparently so important to Jesus that He told it during the last week of His life, must be important to us. The cross is looming closer and closer. This story isn’t easy --we all want to believe we’re the “good guy.” We don’t want God’s kingdom taken away from us and handed over to others. And this doesn’t have to happen if we deny ourselves pick up our cross and follow Jesus.
Don’t let the Stone be a stumbling block to you. Don’t get smashed by the Stone. Allow Him to be the “cornerstone.”
Don’t look around and judge others – pastor, leaders, laity – pick up your cross and follow Jesus. The vineyard is ripe – don’t spend time arguing over trivial matters – get in and reap the harvest. Deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus.
“Father – we want to be in YOUR KINGDOM. Remind us that it doesn’t belong to us – it belongs to You! Help us to see clearly and understand our place. Help us to let go of what doesn’t matter so we can focus on the harvest. We love You. Give us love for each other. Amen”

No comments: