Although this parable is not as well known as some, it is one of the
most moving that Jesus ever told. It is the parable that tells us most
about Himself, who He is, why He came to earth, what He saw as His
future. This parable was actually lived by Jesus and it tells the story
of the first Easter before it ever happened.

How would this parable read if it were written today? The vineyard
is no longer just the nation of Israel. Two thousand years ago taking
God’s message to the known world took years and His followers did it on
foot. Today, the vineyard is the world. It is a vineyard that can be
traversed in 24 hours by jet and almost every corner of it can be
reached by satellite television. Add to this radio, the print media and
telecommunications. As I prepare this message I’m reminded that it has
a potential audience of 40 million and I can reach those people from my
desk.

God is still the Landlord. We are still the tenants. And the
harvest is still the same – souls. The harvest is bountiful but the
workers are few. Are we so different from those people to whom Jesus
directed the Parable of the Tenants? The world has appropriated all the
good things that God has provided on this earth. The planet has an
abundance of everything. Yet half the world fills its barns whilst the
other half starves. We tolerate and idolise the high-flyers of this
world. But the day of judgement will come. It has come for many of our
so-called entrepreneurs. God has taken away their corner of the
vineyard and has found new tenants for the likes of those who have
thrived on deceit and corruption. The world has abused its freedom and
is failing in its trust to deliver the harvest – the souls of men and
women. The only thing that has changed from the original parable is the
scale – the size of the vineyard and the number of souls to be saved.
What has also changed is our ability to harvest that vineyard. We have a
better opportunity of carrying out the Great Commission now than when
Jesus first gave it to mankind. But what is not so clear is the
question of our resolve to bring in the harvest.

Can we change the world? No, of course not, but we have the ability
and the authority to change anyone we can reach out and touch. Can we
help to bring in the human harvest? Will someone have grown in Christ
because of our influence? If we can say ‘yes’ to that question; if we
have helped someone along life’s way; if we have encouraged someone; if
someone is one millimetre closer to Jesus now because of us; if we have
done any of these things we have helped with the harvest and the world
is a better place. Have a good week. Pastor Ron Optional Bible reading:
Matthew 21:33-46 and 28:16-20

This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement
originating from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. A
companion Bible study page is available each week. To subscribe email
<> with the words ‘subscribe word (or) word and
study’ Enquire about our weekly e-mail newsletter for young people.
Visit our Internet home page: http://www.pastornet.net.au/word4week

Pastor Ron Clarke (Mark 16:15)
Email:
Internet Home Pages: http://www.pastornet.net.au/word4week
(Kids World) http://www.pastornet.net.au/kidswld/index.html