Matthew 21:33-46
About the Text
(33) Whats the purpose of a wall, a winepress, and a watchtower an a vineyard? A wall, usually made of stone, was used to keep destructive animals, such as boats, foxes, and jackals, out of the vineyard.
A winepress was made up of one or two large stone vats, in which men would stomp on grapes with their bare feet in order to squeeze out the juice. There would be an opening at the bottom of the vat through which the juice flowed.
The watchtower was a stone building in which a guard lived. Such a guard protected the vineyard from harm such as intruders, or fire.
Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a well-equipped vineyard. God takes special care of his people and provides protection, guidance, comfort, correction, and healing, just as a landowner provides all sorts of equipment in order to care for his vineyard. In spite of Gods care, evil and opposing people still come into His church and among His people.
(35) Whom do the servants represent in this parable? The servants are the prophets who spoke on behalf of God prior to Jesus. Prophets such as John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah, were all killed or sought to be killed by those who were offended by their truthful message.
We, too, are sometimes "offended" by Gods truth. We love to hear about Gods love, kindness, healing, and providence. But we begin to squirm when a fellow Christian uses a Bible verse such as "anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment (Matthew 5:22)," to point out sin in our lives. Although we dont kill prophets anymore, at least in this country, we still often wish that those "truth-tellers" would simply go away.
(38) Why did the tenants want to kill the landowners son? They probably assumed that the landowner was dead, since he was away perhaps on a long joumey. By then killing the only son, the tenants could easily inherit the vineyard in court.
(42) What is a "capstone"? In some other Bible translations, this is stone is called a "comerstone." This stone could mean either of two things. Either it is a stone upon which the whole foundation of a building rests, or it is the last stone place at the apex of an arch that keeps the arch together and thus keeps the building supported. Whatever the case, the stone that Jesus is compared is the most important stone. See Isaiah 28:16, Eph. 2:20,1 Pet. 2:6-7, Acts 4:11, Psalm 118:22.
(43) What does Jesus mean by "fruit"? Good works. Although we are not saved by them, they are nevertheless the growing product of a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. See Gal. 5:22-23.
(44) What did Jesus mean by this verse? He meant that Gods justice will so prevail in the end, and all opposition will be crushed. Those who oppose Jesus Christ, whether actively or passively, will meeting a foe stronger than they.
Insights
The Bottom Line
In the face of all obstacles, keep seeking to be godly. Dont worry, God most powerfully works among those who are truly godly, not hypocrites who scheme to build the biggest religious empires.
Not only has Jesus Christ already done the work of paying for our sins by dying on the cross, rising from the dead, and giving us a new life, but He has already begun the enormous task of creating a new world of righteousness and peace - the "Kingdom of God" - a world where there are no more gangs, graffiti, crime, abuse, or corruption. It is a world where Christ is acknowledged and worshipped as the King of Kings. Evidence of this Kingdom today is seen in Gods powerful moving in the lives of people: healing, alcoholics going dry, drug addicts rehabilitated, reconciled marriages, gangs turmng into youth groups.
Christ says that we should be more concerned with "fruit" such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control, than with programs, ideas, buildings, ingenuity, or plans (though these are not wrong). When we encounter believers who exhibit loving Christ-like character, we can be sure that God is moving powerfully among them.