PARABLES PACK A PUNCH!

Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard these parables, they realized he was speaking about them, and they sought to arrest him. vv.45-46

Parables are a funny way to communicate. Because they are in story form, they seem artistic and beautiful. Precisely because they are parables, they usually have a moral or religious meaning that can pack a punch. This punch can be uncomfortable if you are the one getting hit!

RELIGIOUS LEADERS ARE INDICTED

Today's parable seems to be about a property owner, some greedy tenant farmers, the messengers, and the son of the property owner, but it is really about God the Father, the religious leaders of Israel, and the Son of God. Needless to say, it indicted the religious leaders for not accepting Jesus and made them quite angry.

King David was also told a story of injustice by the prophet Nathan. At the end of the story, Nathan asks the king what should be done with the guilty party. The king recommended a just, but harsh sentence: death! Then Nathan revealed to King David that the story is about him. David immediately repents before God and Nathan and is given a less harsh penalty. He is allowed to live (2 Sm12:1-13.)

TWO WAYS WE CAN RESPOND

There are two ways we can respond when convicted by a religious parable: We can resist and become angry like the religious leaders of Jesus' day, or we can humble ourselves and repent like King David, who was a man after God's own heart even after his sin. The choice is ours.

Parables speak to us on many levels. That is their beauty. They are so simple, yet almost inexcusable in their application. The same is true of today's parable. It is true of the ministry of Jesus, but it is also true of the Christian ministry in general.

WHO ARE WE IN THIS PARABLE?

Are we the tenant farmers or the messengers or the son of the property owner? God wants his people to be converted from greed to the way of justice. Let this parable speak to you about your own life. Then be converted!

John Michael Talbot