"I will send my beloved Son..." (Luke 20:13) | 5th Sunday in Lent | Lectionary Bible Verse Graphic

 

5th Sunday in Lent (Series C)

Luke 20:9–20 

9 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. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” 17 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’? 

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

Commentary

The owner of the vineyard shows an abundance of patience with the wicked tenants in Jesus’ parable. He sends servant after servant to collect the fruit of his vineyard. Finally, he sent his own son. God has been patient with his people, even though the prophets were continually disregarded and mistreated. Yet, above all the Son of God was also sent, delivered into the hands of sinners, and was crucified. No one is free of the guilt and shame placed on him. The whole world rejected him. However, it is by his death that God has granted us forgiveness and life eternal. Christ willingly took our sin and gives us the fruits of his victory.

Image: My graphic design using the following free image from Pexels by Lorenzo Ranuzzi.