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The Parable of The Vineyard or Vinegrowers - Mark 12
The Parable of The Vineyard or Vinegrowers - Mark 12
Mark 12:9 9 "What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others.
In a context of discussion with the leaders of Israel ( the chief priests and the scribes and the elders – Mark 11.27 – the basic makeup of the Sanhedrin), Jesus uses the same story as did Isaiah in Isa. 5.1-7 – the Lord’s vineyard. Isaiah was dealing with the corrupt leaders of Israel as they had led the people astray. This was God’s people. These leaders were to shepherd them into faithfulness and holiness unto God. Instead, they ‘fleeced the flock’.
God enacted judgment upon the nation. Assyria destroyed the northern 10 tribes in 721-722 BC, then Babylon conquered the southern tribes and carried them off into captivity. They were, with God’s provisions, returned to the land and thus began what is known as the 2nd temple era into which Jesus came.
Again, though the leaders are still misleading the people and using their positions for selfish purposes. As God had done to the leaders / nation in Isaiah’s day, He was going to do now in Jesus’ day. The leaders rejected Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. They did so even though ‘the people’ had acknowledged Him. (Remember the triumphant entry?).
These leaders set their heart on destroying Jesus. It is instructive to notice that they understood the application of Jesus’ parable! It was against THEM. The owner of the vineyard (God) would destroy them.
The main aspects of the Mosaic covenant were fulfilled in Jesus, and God removed the temple, the priesthood, the sacrifices, and the leaders. A New Covenant is established. He took the believing people and constituted them as His kingdom. To this kingdom, He added believing gentiles [to the Jew first and also the Greeks].
Thus Paul wrote concerning Jesus whom they had rejected and killed: “14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.” Ephesians 2:14-16
Leadership of God’s people is a stewardship and a trust. It puts God’s people before self. Would that all leaders grasped and held to such a view.
Hugh DeLong
