Wednesday: Christ’s Parable of the Vineyard

Daily Lesson for Wednesday 12th of March 2025

In the parable of the vineyard owner, in Matthew 21:1-46, Jesus picks up where Isaiah 5:1-30 left off, shedding additional light on the character and actions of the vineyard owner on behalf of His vineyard.

Read Matthew 21:33-39 with particularly the question of Isaiah 5:4 in mind. What more could He do than what He has done?

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The first part of Christ’s parable quotes directly from the song of Isaiah 5:1-30 about the vineyard owner and His vineyard. Then, Jesus adds, the vineyard owner “ ‘leased’ ” His vineyard “ ‘to vinedressers and went into a far country’ ” (Matthew 21:33, NKJV). Yet, when the vineyard owner twice sent His servants (the prophets) to collect the produce, those renting His vineyard beat and killed His servants (Matthew 21:34-36). Finally, He sent His Son (Jesus), saying, “ ‘They will respect my son’ ” (Matthew 21:37, NKJV). But they murdered His Son, too, saying, “ ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him” (Matthew 21:38-39, NKJV).

What more could He do? The Father loved us so much that He gave His beloved Son (John 3:16). If the cosmic conflict is of the kind suggested here, it could not be settled prematurely by exercise of divine power but required first a public demonstration of God’s character. This demonstration has been set forth ultimately in the work of Christ (Romans 3:25-26; Romans 5:8). What more could we ask than that God (in Christ) give Himself to die for us so that He might justify us without in any way compromising His justice and perfect love?

The cross event demonstrates that God has done everything that could be done to mitigate and eliminate evil, but without destroying the context for the flourishing of genuine love. If there had been any preferable avenue available to God, would He not have chosen it? While people suffer greatly in this cosmic conflict, God Himself suffers most of all. When we look at the Cross, we can, indeed, see what suffering and pain sin has brought to God Himself. Yet, so sacred was the freedom inherent in love that Christ was willing to endure this in our behalf.

Read Isaiah 53:4. Whose “griefs” and “sorrows” did Christ bear on the cross? What should this tell us about all that God has done for us and what salvation has cost Him?

<–Tuesday Thursday–>