Words of Jesus: June 8, 2026

Monday June 8, 2026

Luke 20: 9-18:  “And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, that they should give him some of the fruit of the vineyard; but the tenants beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent another servant; him also they beat and treated shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And he sent yet a third; this one they wounded and cast out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; it may be they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ And they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants, and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “God forbid!” But he looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner’? Every one who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but when it falls on any one it will crush him.””    RSV

Jesus tells the parable about the rebellious and even murderous tenants.  When He ends the story with the destruction of the tenants and the giving of the vineyard to others those hearing this ending reply; “God forbid!”  The strong reaction of the hearers suggests that they understood that this parable was told against the nation of Israel.  Jesus’ final comment refers to scripture and brokenness and judgement contained in the Scriptures. 

Dear Heavenly Father, may Your kingdom come and Your will be done in our lives, as it is in Heaven.  Amen.