Marked By JoySample

Every Joy Radiates

Matthew 21:33-46

Jesus’ best sermons were stories. A story in Matthew 21 was one of His most effective. We know that because of what happened at the end. Some of the people who heard Him tell the story tried to arrest Him. Perceiving that Jesus was speaking about them, they got the point of the story as it dealt them a painful jab.

They saw themselves as the rebellious tenants—as stewards who had tried for a thousand years to be owners. For generations, they used every means at hand to silence the voice of the servants God sent to them. And they were going to do the same thing to Jesus. That’s when they tried to arrest Him.

Jesus’ story has amazingly relevant undertones for our day, when our standard of living is so high, our ability to possess is so well-developed, and our claims to ownership are so conspicuous—and yet, all the while, we’re burdened with anxiety, guilt, emptiness, and boredom.

Despite our playing the role of wicked tenants in the vineyard, God hasn’t left us alone. Despite our sin, God is still here in love and forgiveness, exercising His gracious rule over our lives.

If you refuse to acknowledge the ownership of God and your position as a steward of life, there will be no meaning or beauty or fullness in anything you do. Even the marvelous wonders of material things—material created by God—won’t give you happiness. You’ll descend into a downward spiral of neurotic anxiety and unhappy pleasure seeking, because your constant denial of God’s central place won’t get rid of Him.

God wants us to enjoy all that He has given us. But we can’t do it unless we enjoy Him at the center. Every joy radiates from that central joy.

Spend a few moments reflecting on the goodness of God. Where have you seen God’s forgiveness and mercy in your life?