1. The selfish tenants (33-39)

This parable is about God's redemptive history. Even though God and his Messiah are rejected by selfish men, God is not defeated. The landowner in the parable is God; his vineyard, Israel. He blessed the Israelites and wanted them to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Ex 19:5-6). They took his blessing, but did not give him the fruit of obedience and love. They rejected the prophets because they didn't want to repent. Finally, he sent his Son, and they killed him. Those who reject God and his Son in order to live for their own pleasure and profit are like the tenants.

2. The rejected stone (40-46)

Jesus' faith and understanding of history was based on the Scriptures. He saw beyond his own suffering and death to victory. God would make him--the rejected stone--the cornerstone and capstone of his redemptive history. Indeed, God took the vineyard away from those who rejected Jesus and gave it to the new Israel, the people of Jesus.

Application: Lord, help me to be a faithful steward of my life and offer fruit to you.
One Word: Give fruit to God our Redeemer