May 12th, 2018

Jesus was preparing the world for the next life through parables. His stories came directly from God since He is the Word of God. He continually spoke of life in the Kingdom verses living in darkness.   
And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 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.’ And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:
“‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone’?
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”  Luke 20:9-17
 
Not What Some May Think
 
The person that is trying to accomplish replacement theology will tell you that the tenants were the whole people Israel, it is not. Yes it explains their disobedience but it is specifically directed to those in religious leadership positions in the Sanhedrin.
 
The landowner is God and the vineyard is Israel. As I mentioned, the tenants are the religious leaders who are responsible for speaking the truths of God’s Word of which they perverted and polluted with laws of man. This poisoned Israel and caused many to perish without the full truth or a proper repentance.
So the landowner sends servants. These servants are the prophets. These were the obedient ones who were chosen to turn Israel back to God but were killed for speaking out against the status quo set up by man. The people were still not returning properly to God and though they thought they were conducting proper worship, they were not.
God, not happy with His chosen people and those appointed from the tribe of Levi takes the most loving of actions. He sends Jesus, the Word made flesh and the established religious rulers have Him killed.
Now The Rest of the Story
The religious leaders have been condemned through their actions. Some of God’s Chosen People have accepted Christ as the Son of God and continued the original mission set forth by the Father. The Twelve Apostles were sent out to the world (the new other tenants) to bring the rest of the Israelites and the world back to God. Yes our mission was initially to assist in bringing the Israelites back to God then to hand the main priestly job back to them. Jesus said to make disciples of all men, not leave out His Chosen People.  
Now what about those religious leaders?
They were jealous. They were envious of Jesus’ popularity and an encroachment on their authority. Their pride was hurt and they were embarrassed. It actually caused them to fall right into God’s plan. The priests feared an uprising that would displace them and ruin the good relationship with the Roman authorities who controlled the land. The big problem is that they were consumed by fear of losing the joy they had from the earthly riches and did not want to ruin their chances of greater wealth and prestige.

We Have Failed
 
There are two types of religious leaders in the world, those who stay in the truth of the Word and those have denied the teachings of Christ to make everyone feel good about their life. Many who started out in the Word became consumed by fame and fortune. The Word has been changed to fit society because the ways of man have returned to the likes of Sodom and Gomorrah. The message is now a feel good about your own life rather than obedience and respect for others.
 
Thankfully the truth is still out there and there are those who make an impact. True Believers have begun to resurface fighting for the right truth of the Word and we are slowly getting back to the right way of living. Satan’s power is weakening but he is still holding on. 
 
So Who Are You?

The Father sent His Son to redress the vines so the branches can grow and produce new fruit. Those who became too engrossed by power perverted the Word, poisoning the branches which produced a fruit that would never ripen.
 
Are you like one of the wicked tenants who wish to gain things for your own personal desires while telling God that He is no longer fully relevant? Or are you a new tenant who works the land for the owner and produces fruit by doing your very best to follow His Word and Plan for us.
 
Beloved Brother and Sisters we must continue to fight for the truth of the Word and reopen hearts to let Jesus back in. We need to replace the false man-made teachings of this age with the truth. Are you ready to suffer for righteousness? Time is running out on all sides and we cannot let the devil win. Keep the truth of the Word on your heart and share it daily. Love others with the grace and mercy that the Father has for us.
 
Blessings,
Rob