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Holy Week Vineyard

Holy Week Vineyard

Words of Faith 1-7-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 20:9-19

    He went on to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. [10] At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. [11] He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. [12] He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. 

    [13] "Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.'

    [14] "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.' [15] So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

    "What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? [16] He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others."

    When the people heard this, they said, "May this never be!"

    [17] Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written:

    " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone'?

[18] Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

    [19] The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. 

 

       Jesus was now in the week we call Passion Week or Holy Week.  This was the week that Jesus had been talking about repeatedly even though no one was really listening.  Do you remember how Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life" (Luke 9:21 22)?  This was it.

        So what is this week about?   What are we to gain from it?  How did Jesus understand the meaning of this week?  For that, we are quite fortunate because... He tells us.

       As Jesus was engaged in His first conflict in the Temple, He told a parable.  His authority was questioned in the Temple and Jesus refused to answer the religious leaders directly but if they were listening, they would hear Jesus clearly define the week.

       This week is about several things.  The picture is a Vineyard rented to some tenant farmers.  When the owner wants some of the harvest, the tenants beat the messengers.  Three messengers are beaten and when the owner sends His Son, they mistreat him and kill him.  This is what the week is about.  It is also to forecast a judgment   He will come and kill the tenants and give the vineyard to others.

        The people responded saying "May this never be!"  But Jesus went on. This week is about a stone rejected that becomes the capstone.  Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone'?  Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."

        What is this week all about?  The Vineyard is Israel.  The servants are the Prophets.  Jesus is the Son. Jesus is the stone the builders rejected.  The stone is not easily noticed.   He may be right under your feet, and yet you would not notice Him.  But He will become the capstone.  Sadly, everyone who falls on that stone will be crushed.

       What is the week about for us?   Clearly, we gain so much from this week.  Our redemption is found in His rejection.   He is the capstone, our highest covering.  Jesus is the crowning work of God's redemption.  We dare not reject Him.

        Jesus was predicting historic events that were to come.  Those who rejected Jesus would be displaced and the Vineyard of Israel would be taken away.  Other prophecy pointed to the re-gathering of Israel as a nation prior to the end times.  But Jerusalem would be destroyed in 70 A.D.

        We don't want to miss the personal side of this. We, too, are entrusted with His Vineyard.  He is the Owner. The Harvest is for the profit of the Owner.  We are stewards entrusted to farm.  Will we receive the Word?  Will we receive the prophets? Will we respond to the Son?  Will we be faithful in the harvest?  

        What of this stone that the builders of this world have rejected?  Jesus is right underfoot.  He is evident to all, but all do not see Him.  He who is rejected today by the builders of this world will be revealed as the capstone.  Those who stumble upon that stone will be crushed.

        How do I Respond to what we call Holy Week? 

        1)  PRAY for the harvest.  For the salvation of neighbors, co-workers, county.

        2)  WORK in the field.  Invite people to church and evangelistic gatherings. Personally connect with those who do not know Jesus.

        3)  RESPOND to His Word.

        4)  HONOR Him as Lord.

 

         One of the most critical questions regarding this week is quite simple:  Have you received the Messengers?  Have you received the Son?  Have you rejected the Rock, or have you made Him your Capstone?  If not, why not?   If not now, when?   Do you know Him?   How can I know Him?  Pray. Talk to God today. Confess your sin (Agree with God).  Turn away from your sin (Repent).  Invite Jesus into your heart (Rev. 3:20).  Surrender your life to Him as Lord and Savior. 

         Here is a simple prayer that you can use: Lord, Jesus, I need you.  I confess to You that I am a sinner and I ask You to forgive my sin.  I thank You that You were willing to die on the cross for my sin.  I choose to turn away from my old life by the power of Your Spirit.  Come into my life now as I receive You as Lord and Savior.  Amen.