Hope you’ve had a refreshing holiday so far before the new summer semester begins!
Last week, we looked at the parable of the wicked vine growers (Mark 12:1-17). In this parable, the owner of the vineyard sends multiple servants, and eventually his beloved son, to collect fruit from the vine growers according to the rental agreement. But the vine growers refused. Instead of fulfilling their part of the agreement, they beat and killed the servants and son, with the plan to take over the land for themselves.
Jesus illustrates a key spiritual principle through this parable. The owner represents God, the servants represent the prophets, the son represents Jesus, and the vine growers represent God’s people. God expects fruits from His people—the fruit of justice and righteousness in their lives.
Yet how often, when we are Christians, do we only seek God’s blessings without offering back the fruit of a faithful life? We often desire full control, like the wicked vine growers, wanting to live life on our own terms.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) When we are willing to give our lives back to God, through everything we have and everything we do, He can really turn it around and use it powerfully and wonderfully for His kingdom’s purpose.
Summary by Meng Ping