The parable of the homicidal vinedressers It is a story that Jesus shared with his followers, in which he confronts his adversaries of the time, announcing his destiny in their hands, and how they were rejecting the Son of God, profaning the mandates left by the Heavenly Father.
Parable of the homicidal vinedressers
Within the bible this parable is related in 3 books of the gospel, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Demonstrating mastery in the Word, Jesus used analogies as a form of story, for the better understanding of his listeners.
Vineyard Analogies
In this case, Jesus uses the vineyard as an analogy to the kingdom of God, since the Jews were familiar with this space. And he tells it as follows:
“Hear another parable: There was a certain man, a householder, who planted a vineyard, fenced it with a fence, dug a winepress in it, built a tower, and leased it out to tenant farmers, and went far away” (Matthew 21: 33)
A father
At this time the parents were in charge of preparing the workplace, which would produce the family livelihood. They were responsible for leaving the space ready, to unleash the desired fruits.
Jesus in this case when he speaks of the father is referring to God, like that father, who worries about having a space for the well-being of his children. He who looks at the earth and prepares it for his enjoyment.
The vineyard
The vineyard in the Jewish context was a place to bear fruit, but in this case Jesus related it toThe kingdom of God represented the nation of Israelto the people of God in which blessings and privileges would superabundate.
when he talks that “he planted a vineyard, fenced it around, dug a winepress in it, built a tower” It represents that the vineyard was a place that God took with his hands, that is to say, he separated that land in the best place, he fertilized it so that from there they would arise bonanza fruits.
The fence
It was the strong structure, the protection wall of the earth, so that nothing would desecrate it. Jesus in this sense likens the fence to the mandates delivered by God, who protected them and kept them away from the bad customs of the society of the time.
The Winery
It was the space where the fruit of the vine was prepared, in which the fruit was squeezed and the desired juice came out. That relates to each of the situations they lived as a peoplein which their actions would give what fruit they were made of.
Tower
Was the watchtower or place of surveillance, where he had the best view of all the land, and could warn of any danger or snares of the enemies.
Jesus continuing the story in this verse, gives a very important fact, which will give meaning to the whole story. “and he leased it to some vinedressers, and went far away”
The father, having work to do outside his land, decided to leave some vinedressers to work the land, and give growth to the fruit that he had prepared.
The Vineyards
It is important to analyze the confidence that this father had in leaving his vineyard in the hands of these workers, and they were in charge of giving growth to his land.
Those vinedressers to whom Jesus refers They are the leaders of the nation of Israel, the Pharisees, priests, scribes, elders, who were in charge of preparing the land given by God.
The Vineyards show their true intent
Capturing the attention of his listeners, because of this resemblance to a common activity of the Jewish people, Jesus continues his story revealing the behavior of said vinedressers.
“And when the time of the fruits drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive his fruits. But the farmers, taking the servants, beat some, killed another, and stoned another. He sent again other servants, more than the first; and they did to them in the same way” (Matthew 21: 34-36)
The fruits
The fertilized land had a germination process, a growth that evoked a ready fruit, to be picked “the time of the fruits drew near” That father, knowing the land, knew that it was a good harvest that he would receive, and he would not let it lose.
The fruit is related to the obedience, to the love of God’s commands, to holiness, tangible fruits to fulfill the will of the Heavenly Father. These fruits were what he wanted to see folded in all that vineyard (Nation of Israel).
But these administrators refused to deliver these fruits and showed the secret of their hearts, since they had been perverted by greed, because they saw that it was a place with many benefits, and they would fight for that comfort.
the serfs
“He sent his servants” The servants were people trusted by the father, to whom he gave instructions, and they complied. These servants that Jesus describes were the prophets, who were the link that God had, to communicate with his nation.
That contact of the Heavenly Father with his people, he did through them, who suffered the contempt and mistreatment of the leaders of the nation, who opposed his visits.
This point should be highlighted: “He sent again other servants” This man shows patience, since there were several occasions when he sent them, and above all he refused to allow them to keep those fruits.
Very often God sent his prophets to the nation of Israel, he had mercy on his people, from whom he longed to receive the expected fruits. But instead they were beaten and ignored by the leaders, who refused to listen to his request.
Jesus, being more illustrative and seeing the attention paid to his story, continues by saying:
“Finally he sent his son to them, saying: They will have respect for my son. But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves: This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize his inheritance. And taking him, they threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him” (Matthew 21: 37-39)
The son
This father, full of patience in the face of intransigent farmers, continued in his efforts to seek that desired fruit: “his son sent them” an authority figure, so that they would desist from their incorrect attitude.
However, they awakened their most ambitious and angry side. “When they saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize his inheritance. And taking him, they threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.” fact that reveals how a person can lose compassion for power.
There is a detail to highlight in the attitude of the vinedressers when they see the son arrive in the vineyard, and it is the following point: They were afraid that they would not be able to take over the place, while the heir to the vineyard remained alive, so they decide to kill him.
Jesus reveals what he was experiencing at that moment in Israel, for he was that son of whom the parable speaks. Seeing that they did not listen to his prophets, God sent him to look for that fruit of love for Him, and received the rejection and persecution of the religious leaders of Israel, to kill him.
If the conduct of the leaders of Israel at the time of Jesus is analyzed, it was the same as that of these vinedressers, since they saw Jesus as the stone on the road, and if he continued to carry the teachings they could not maintain control of all the nation.
Take power away from Homicidal Vineyards
Seeking to confront his detractors, Jesus appeals to ask them a question:
“When the lord of the vineyard comes, then, what will he do to those vinedressers? They told him: He will destroy the wicked without mercy and will lease his vineyard to other vinedressers, who will pay him the fruit at his time »(Matthew 21: 40-41)
Having said that, Jesus manages to get where he wanted: reflect the leaders of the nation as those homicidal vinedressers.
Taking advantage of that simile made, Jesus reveals the message of what the Heavenly Father would do with those who did not bear fruit in his vineyard:
«Jesus said to them: Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. The Lord has done this, and is it a wonderful thing in our eyes? Therefore I say to you, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to people who will produce the fruits of Him. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; and on whomever it falls, he will crush him” (Matthew 21: 42-44)
When Jesus talks about the discarded stone, confirms that it was he who had been despised by the builders of the nation, which in this case were the Pharisees. But the Father would exalt him by placing him at the top of a new Nation, which he would build and produce the desired fruits.
These religious leaders followed the tradition that they dragged from ancient years, in which God had manifested himself to them, but was rejected, producing in them the punishment for disobedience.
So Jesus reminds them that God is a Father who can rebuke when someone acts incorrectly, and in this case the leaders sought their benefits and not the welfare of the nation.
Also causing them to be stripped of the benefits they had, “the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and it will be given to a people who will produce the fruits of it” With this you learn something valuable: doing the will of God and bearing the expected fruit leads you to obtain the kingdom of God.
On the other hand, it describes the value that they should give to that rejected stone (Jesus).“And whoever falls on this stone will be broken in pieces; and on whomever it falls, it will crush him to pieces.”
In a few words, it is affirmed that Jesus is the only way to salvation, whoever did not believe in Him could not receive the kingdom of heaven, since it would not bear the desired fruit, thus receiving the judgment of God.
This parable culminates with an upset face from the religious leaders of the time, who had been reflected in this story.
“And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they understood that he was speaking of them. But when looking for a way to get hold of him, they feared the people, because they considered him a prophet.” (Matthew 21: 45-46)
Although Jesus does not mention them, the intention and the analogies spoke of the religious, and their attitude gave them away.
Being a Murderer Being a Believer in the Son of God
The opponents of the call that Jesus makes are not the only homicidal vinedressers, a believer in Jesus can also be, by diverting his gaze to pleasures, breaking down the fence (Word of God), which protects him from the pagan world, moving away from the vision of the Father, and misusing the place of assignment.
The parable of the homicidal vinedressersdoes not apply only to the time where Jesus lived, since many believers enjoy all the benefits of being in the “Vineyard of the Lord” but his behavior is self-righteousbeing disobedient, sinners, haters of mercy, destroying trust in the Father.
jesus alert in exercise good stewardshipand bear fruit of “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23) with which they will prove to be led by the Holy Spirit, and become deserving of the Kingdom of God.
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