PARABLE OF THE UNFAITHFUL LABOURERS

PARABLE OF THE UNFAITHFUL LABOURERS

[Jesus' metaphoric story of himself]

"Hear another parable: there was a certain householder which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about. He dug a wine press in it. He built a tower and let it out to labourers. He travelled to a far country.

"And when the time of fruit drew near, he sent some of his servants that they might receive the fruit. On arrival, the labourers took his servants: beat one, killed the another, and stoned the others.

"Again, he sent another servant more than the first.

Again they did unto them likewise. But last of all, he sent unto them his son saying 'they will reverence my son'. But when the labourers saw the son, they said amongst themselves, 'this is the heir, come let us kill him, and let us seize upon his inheritance'.

"And they caught him and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When then Lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do unto those husbandmen?" (Matthew 21:33-40)

The Vineyard is the World

Of the about 27 parables Jesus shared, this one was about his coming to the world. The vineyard is the world. The Lord of the vineyard is God the father -Jehovah. The labourers are humans, and the messengers are God's prophets and priests. The son of the Lord of the vine is Jesus.

Man was to Keep and Remit Returns

God created the world, put man in it and instructed man to keep and be answerable to Him. Unfortunately, in the Garden of Eden, when man fell, disobedience set in. From time to time afterwards, God (the owner of the vineyard) had always sent messagers to demand returns and accountability on assigned duties.

But these messengers, prophets and priests have often faced resistance and presecution by the people (the labourers).

Lastly, God Sent His Son

An example of the prophets antagonized and rejected by the people was Elijah, hunted by King Ahab. Lastly, God sent his Son -Jesus. Good clearly knew that like other messagers he sent in ages past, His Son, Jesus, would be hated and killed.

So God in His wisdom decided to establish an everlasting salvation through the prosecution, death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus, represented by the 'son' in the parable above came as God's resought, 'perhaps they will reverence my son'.

Jesus: The Chief Corner Stone

Jesus ended by asking what the Lord of the vineyard would do to the labourer on his return. His audience said he would replace them. Jesus proceeded to conclude that the stone rejected by the builders shall become the most important -the chief corner stone.

This is the moral lesson in this parable: regard God, honour his servants (pastors, priests, evangelists, etc.) Do not despise and reject them like the labourers did.

Value and esteem the personality of Jesus Little did the labourers know that Jesus is the most important personality.

Good bless you. Have a good day.

Goodlife Writes

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