Luke 20-B “Broken, not Crushed”

S = 20:16-18 “When they heard this, they said, "Surely not!" But he looked directly at them and said, "What then is this that is written:

"'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?

Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."

 

O = After hearing Jesus’ parable the people have a strong negative reaction to something he has said…but what is it? Perhaps there is more than one group listening and the reason for the answer may depend on which group you ask. The disciples might say, “Surely not!” to the idea that the vineyard owner’s honor should be so violated and that his son should be killed. Peter had reacted this way once before (Matthew 16:22; Mark 8:32) and would once again (22:33). However, the priests and others of the people probably were reacting to the idea of the vineyard being given to “others.” They knew the vineyard was Israel. The vine was the national symbol of Israel, like the eagle was the symbol of Rome (and America). In fact there was a huge golden vine on the front of the temple. They were in essence answering, “How could this land be given to others? Are you saying we are like those idolatrous people of old? No way!”

 

Jesus’ quote from the prophetic prayer of Psalm 118:22 takes this parable and superimposes it over the triumphal entry and the coming passion of Christ in a way that identifies himself as the stone rejected. Then alluding to the stone in Daniel chapter 2 (God’s kingdom) he gives them a choice of the brokenness of repentance and humble reception of God’s kingdom authority or of the complete destruction of prideful rebellion. Most Americans have heard the old 007 line, “shaken not stirred” referring to the spy’s drink preference, but in the context of this passage my preference is “broken not crushed!” Repentance always involves a brokenness, but humbling myself is always a better option than being humbled by God’s just judgments.

 

A = Jesus has made his plan clear and it is better than anything that I could come up with so I will do my best to understand and embrace it. His “giving of the vineyard to others” was to my advantage since I am one of the others he spoke of. However, I must take Paul’s teaching in Romans to heart and not grow prideful in my inclusion, my vineyard lease, for granted. I am only included by grace! How might I be quick to pay my rent of gratitude and faithfulness this week? He has done everything for me…so in love how should I respond this week?

 

P = O Lord, may I not reject you message or your plan today , this week, and for the future saying “Surely not!” but rather may I join with you in your patient call to the world, “Come!” (Rev. 22:7). May I be quick to put my “Amen!” to what your Word says and to what you are doing today.   . Amen.