WE SHALL NOT DIE - Reading With the People of God #17নমুনা

A VINEYARD SONG OF LOVE AND REJECTION

Many of today’s musical artists use bad relationships for song ideas...and the public gobbles them up! Is it because we feel sorry for the artist or because we relate to difficult relationships? At any rate, Isaiah today shares an extended parable of a vineyard that does not produce grapes, but wild grapes! That’s sour rotten fruit. The reader does not find out who the vineyard represents until v. 7…” For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah.” (NKJV) What may seem over the top, is the Lord removes the hedge, breaks down the wall, and has the vineyard made a waste.

The prophet’s application is shocking and devastatingly clear - God’s grace will end, and His curse will fall on those oppressive leaders because their lives did not demonstrate the basic characteristics of justice and righteousness. When we read Jesus in Matthew 7, He is just as radical. Let’s all do our part to pray for and take care of God’s vineyard today!

In our reading from Luke today, we will see a parable of ten minas, the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the weeping of Jesus over Jerusalem, and a brief cleansing of the temple. But we are first met with the now-famous story of Zacchaeus. This is found only in Luke and shows us the reception of the gospel by the outcasts. We are reminded again that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. And yes, despite the difficulty, Jesus can even save a rich guy! Cornerstone - Jesus can change everything and everyone!

Primer contributed by Brian Mott, Ministering Elder