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#1248. How are things in your vineyard? (28/3/25)

Community Church Putney Sermons

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  1. #1248. How are things in your vineyard? (28/3/25)

  2. https://www.communitychurchputney.com/post/1245-when-the-king-comes-21-3-25

  3. Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we journey through our Luke: Exploring Who Jesus Is series.

  4. Today, we reflect on the Parable of the Tenants in Luke 20:9-19. The parable compares life to tenancy in a vineyard—am I living in accordance with the terms of God's tenancy?

    Luke 20:9–19

  5. You can watch this devotional below.

  6. https://youtu.be/500HzAmAw-g

  7. A Vineyard is Entrusted

  8. Our reading begins:

  9. “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time.” (Luke 20:9)

    Luke 20:9

  10. Jesus tells this parable following His confrontation with religious leaders who challenge him and refuse to accept His authority in 20:1-8. Like the rebellious tenants in this parable, they reject God’s messengers and ultimately kill His Son—bringing judgment upon themselves.

  11. The vineyard, a commonly used Old Testament metaphor for Israel - represents Israel as God’s people who were meant to bear fruit for God.

  12. The owner’s absence reflects a waiting period: Firstly, It was Israel’s waiting period for the Messiah to come, and, secondly, it can be applied to our waiting before Christ’s return— in both cases, a time to remain fruitful and faithful.

  13. They Reject God's Voice

  14. Our reading continues:

  15. ‘“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. 11 He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. 12 He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.”’ (Luke 20:10-12)

    Luke 20:10–12

  16. The tenants represent Israel’s leaders, who repeatedly rejected God’s prophets—including John the Baptist, whom Jesus had just referenced in Luke 20:1-8. Their persistent defiance reveals their hardened hearts.

    Luke 20:1–8

  17. In context, Jesus has entered Jerusalem (the Triumphal Entry) and found their worship empty and fruitless. This spiritual barrenness is powerfully symbolised by the cursing of the fruitless fig tree in Matthew 21 and Mark 11, which occurs alongside His arrival in Jerusalem.

  18. They Reject the Son

  19. Our reading continues:

  20. ‘“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 “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.’ 15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”’ (Luke 20:13-15a)

    Luke 20:13

  21. Not only did they reject the prophets and John, but now they reject Jesus Himself, the rightful Son and heir. This foreshadows His crucifixion—an event we’ll reflect on as Easter approaches.

  22. Jesus speaks of Judgment and the spread of the gospel

  23. Our reading continues:

  24. ‘“What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”’(Luke 20:15b-16)

  25. Like the parable of the Minas, this parable ends with judgment. Jesus also alludes to the gospel reaching the Gentiles, extending God’s kingdom beyond Israel as we will see as the Spirit is poured out in Luke part 2 - Acts.

  26. Jesus ends this section with:

  27. ‘Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”’ (Luke 20:17-18)

    Luke 20:17–18

  28. Jesus wants them to see that he is speaking of many who were listening to Him. Jesus is fearless. However, though rejected, Jesus becomes the ‘Cornerstone’ and foundation of God’s people - His authority stands firm, whether accepted or not!

  29. They are unresponsive

  30. Our reading concludes:

  31. ‘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 10:19)

    Luke 10:19

  32. Rather than listening and repenting, Jesus’ challenge leads to greater hatred and the events that we will consider as we approach the Easter period.

  33. A Call to Faithfulness

  34. How does this parable challenge you and me? I hope and trust that we can say that, yes, we’ve received Jesus as Lord. Added to this, how are things in our ‘vineyard’? Like workers in a vineyard, everything we have is a gift from God, meant for His glory. Do we listen gladly or reject His voice if it demands sacrificial obedience? May we embrace Christ as our cornerstone, love His voice, and recommit to serving Him wholeheartedly.

  35. Let’s pray together

  36. “Father, I thank you that It’s your will that your church and that I am fruitful for you. Help me, whilst waiting for you to act or to return to be faithful and fruitful. May my worship, my listening and my obedience be like a fruitful vine. Amen”