August 31

Luke 20:9-18

Bible in One Year Passages:

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Journal Entry

Scripture

Verses 11- 14: And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.' But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.'

Observation

We see that the vineyard owner is repeatedly sending servant on his behalf to the tenants who refuse to accept the servants and even beat and reject them. The parable shows that the tenants going as far as killing the owner's son when he is sent instead of the servants.

Application

It is clear that Jesus is alluding to the behavior of the Jews towards many prophets of God as well as Jesus himself. The son (Jesus) is sent by God as the "heir" yet He is rejected, mocked and ultimately crucified.

When reading this and many passage similar that draw a picture of foolish people rejecting God and Jesus, I easily disapprove of their behavior and their ways. I often find myself saying "How could they do that. It is disgusting how they treat men of God and His Son", yet I wonder if we are guilty of the same thing.

We are constantly surrounded by men and women of God yet we are so numb to what God speaks through them. God places people in our lives (family, friends, mentors, pastors, etc) and through them we are blessed and encouraged - all which God intends and uses to speak in our daily lives. The sad part is that we often forget letting our pride and foolishness quickly reject criticisms and advices that God may intend us to hear.

I am reminded again that God sends people in my lives and to be mindful of them as part of God intent to speak into my life.

Prayer

Thank you, Heavenly Father for being part of every second of our lives. I pray that I always remember your presence through all that are around me as part of your plan to use as a vessel to speak into my life. Help me to also be that vessel and messenger for you to your people. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.

--Steven K.