City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“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. 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. He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ 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.’ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him… ‘“ 

Luke 20:9-15 (NIV)

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.” 

Luke 20:19 (NIV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)

Reflection

What were the tenants thinking, injuring their boss’s servants and killing his son?! The vineyard owner wanted “some” of the fruit, not all of it, and the tenants wouldn’t spare what was really not theirs. The servants were harmed but the son was murdered, Jesus demonstrated just how low the chief priests could be, and it scared them. Like the tenants, they were determined to kill Him to maintain their power. But not all Jews in power hated Jesus, at least two of them followed Him. The Bible mentions Nicodemus (a Pharisee) and Joseph of Arimathia (a Sanhedrin, who were Jewish judges), and they, not one of the twelve disciples (they fled when Jesus was arrested) buried Jesus (John 19:38-41). 

The desire for power, or pride, got Adam and Eve (and all of humankind) into a big mess, and its polar opposite, humility, Jesus’ death on the cross, got us out. Today power is mostly translated into money (I could go into other factors, but that’s another devotional for another day). Nicodemus and Joseph were powerful by monetary and social standards, but those traits did not make them evil, loving power more than God is evil (1 Timothy 6:10). In fact, they used their resources for Jesus, they knew who He was and accepted Him. 

Application

“Along with great power comes great responsibility” (Originally said by Voltaire, but today is associated more with Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben). The tenants and chief priests enjoyed their earthly power, but neglected their responsibility, which was to the Vineyard Owner. True power is following Jesus (Ephesians 6:10). When one becomes a follower of Jesus, they are given many gifts, and the responsibility to use them wisely. It’s too easy to forget life isn’t just about the here and now, we will spend a LOT more time in eternity than in this earthly life. Remember your home isn’t here on earth, but in Heaven, and the Vineyard Owner will hold us accountable for His garden. 

Prayer

Dear Lord, forgive me for neglecting my responsibilities to You. Help me to care for what You have given me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.