Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Passage: Matthew 21:33-22:14
Focus: “…a people who will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:43.
I realize that the most obvious interpretation for this parable applies to Israel in general. But I’d like to present another angle that I think also yields a valid secondary application.
First, consider the Biblical idea that you are like a special parcel of land that God owns and develops for the purpose of producing fruit that is pleasing and useful to Him. The wall around the vineyard represents the parameter of your life, the vineyard represents that part of your being into which the Word of God is planted, the watchtower represents your ability to perceive, process and protect what God has planted, and the tenants represent your accountability, attitudes, and actual management of this parcel that you could neither make nor own by yourself. He’s the owner and designer of it all.
Besides your built-in conscience/spirit that God has designed to seek after Him, He sends lots of influences (thoughts, ideas, and ministries) your way to guide you into the appropriate fulfillment of the contract that you maintain communication with the “Landowner” and return to Him fruit from His investment (Gal. 5:22-24; Eph. 5:8-10; Phil. 1:9-11; Heb. 13:15).
But alas, many treat God’s servant-influences with rejection and contempt. They are filled with such deceptive arrogance that they actually come to view themselves as the real designers and owners. They even go so far as to reject and abuse the supreme messenger sent by the Owner…His own Son (Co-owner)…this One Who not only comes to represent the interests of the Owner, but Who has the power and authority to cause our parcel to produce as it should (Jn. 10:10)…and without Whom there is no profitable production of fruit at all (Jn. 15:5). “Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” (v. 40) The answer is not pleasant for those tenants refusing to yield to the wishes of the Owner.
Be assured that God wants to make you a vital member of the Kingdom of God. He wants to conform you to “a people who will produce its fruit.”