Corona Devo 339

Parable of the Tenants

Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: “A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower.  ~Mark 12:1

Let's cut right to the chase about this story: God is the vineyard owner.  And the forethought, effort and vision that "the vineyard owner" gave in preparing the vineyard is the forethought, effort and vision that God builds into us as well.  

A man planted a vineyard.  ~Mark 12:1

Here is the forethought of our Lord and Our Heavenly Father.  None of us, not one of us is a mistake.  God planted us.  He created us.  He has a good and healthy plan for us and our lives.  He planted us exactly where we are at today.  How are we doing with where we've been planted? 

He built a wall around it...  ~Mark 12:1

The Lord protects us.  He is our wall.  

God, His Word, and following His Ways creates a barrier between the world and us.  Of course we will experience hardship/struggle/and sin, but we are not defenseless or standing alone against the attacks.  He built a wall around it, and He protects us.  

He...dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice...  ~Mark 12:1

Here is where the "effort" of the vineyard owner is rolled out, or stomped/pressed out, as the case may be with grapes.  

God also puts the effort into making us into a new and finer product than we were before.  The Bible doesn't promise a problem-free philosophy.  In fact, God knows that troubles will come, and He even warns us (In this world you will have trouble.  ~John 16:33).  But in light and preparation of this knowledge, God has dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice.  

God allows presses (and stresses!) into our lives and hearts that will squeeze us.  We will be stretched and sometimes stomped on.  We each face our own pressures and challenges, but how we handle them (in Christ) and what God does within us during "the press" can create a "better vintage" version of ourselves.  The hard times shape us.  The sad times humble us.  All of the pressing has purpose.  God draws us near and holds us tight.  And when the storm has cleared or the clouds have lifted, we have a testimony and strengthened faith.  Grapes need pressed to become a fine wine.   

and (He) built a lookout tower.  ~Mark 12:1

God has always casted His vision over our lives.  From the moment we were conceived, He saw everyone of our days from His Lookout Tower.  (...all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. ~Psalm 139:16).   He has a plan for us.  He has a calling for us.  God built a lookout tower because He is ever looking out for us.  

When panic strikes our minds, the Truth of His sovereignty can settle our hearts.  God built a lookout tower and He is watching over you and me right now and always.

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(1) Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. (2) At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. (3) But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. (4) The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head. (5) The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed, (6) until there was only one left—his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

(7) “But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ (8) So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard.  ~Mark 12:1-8

Because we know the "vineyard owner", this story now becomes less of a parable and more like an altered version of Good Friday.  Even though He knew what the outcome would be, God sent his son whom he loved dearly.  To those who didn't deserve Him...To us.

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 (9) “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others. (10) Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.  (11) This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’ ”

(12) The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away. ~Mark 12:9-12 

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I don't know where your heart is today.  Full?  Empty?  Jaded?  Joyful?  

God is for us.  If we are running from Him today, stop.  If we are hiding from Him today, present yourself.  If we need someone to hold us today, His arms are wide open.  

The forethought, effort and vision that "the vineyard owner" gave in preparing the vineyard is the forethought, effort and vision that God builds into us as well.  

God planted us right where we are at.  He built a wall of protection, love, and purpose around us, dug a pit for pressing because pressure draws us nearer to Him and can create a "better vintage" version of ourselves, and (God) built a lookout tower because He is always watching out for us.  

This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.  ~Mark 12:11

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/