Today, let’s look at:
· A parable about two sons,
· About Tenant Farmers, and
· About a Wedding.
The first parable isn’t very hard to understand. Jesus of course is drawing a direct line between the religious of the day (who say they will do God’s will) and the tax collector’s, prostitutes, and others (who are, shall we say ‘late to the party’).
Even the Chief Priests understand. Jesus notes their lack of action.
Then we come to the Tenant Farmers. Again, not hard to understand. The Chief Priests “perceive” that Jesus is talking about them. (I love this word “perceive”. My view is he is hitting them over the head!).
Jesus is describing flat out Disloyalty to God. This is beyond lack of repentance. This scene is one of open rebellion.
What then of people who, when hearing the message of God’s Love in Christ not only fail to take action, but in addition openly rebel?
Yet be not confused: The distance between failing to repent and rebellion is not very far.
The consequences are real. Consider the next parable.
It is rich with imagery of invitation from God, and rejection of that invitation from men and women.
Good bible expositors will remind us that these guests who refuse to come have already “RSVP’d Yes!” to the invitation. But when the day finally comes, they refuse (complete with lame excuses). The king, undeterred casts a wide net of invitation to his celebration.
The story does not end there. Consider how the story includes a fellow who thinks that what he brings is sufficient. He rejects the king’s gift of an appropriate garment. He is “good enough”. The king is not impressed. The entire scene puts into focus how we must not only respond but respond in humility.
The point is clear. Those who reject Jesus’ invitation, those who stand on their own righteousness, have: No Standing in the Kingdom.
These are somber words. They are the cost of rebellion.
What do you think about this idea of the distance between repentance and rebellion not being that far?