“The Servant’s Vineyard”
Mark 12:1-34
Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.” – Mark 12:1
The Bible often refers to Israel as God’s vineyard. “The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of his delight.” [Isa 5:7] “You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.” [Ps 80:8-9]
In our passage this morning, Jesus shares a parable about this same vineyard. It contains a historical and prophetic aspect of Israel. The historical refers to the persecution of the prophets. The prophetic alludes to the Cross, the destruction of Jerusalem [in 70 A.D.], and the birth of the Church.
Chapter 11 records the Servant’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He came from the east, by way of the Mount of Olives. It was a similar way for Joshua when he entered the Land some 1400 years prior [from the east]. It will be the same when Jesus Returns [Zech 14:4; Eze 43:1]. But this time “the Anointed One will be cut off and have nothing.” [Dan. 9:26] He would be interrupted by the religious leaders of that day. And these are the ones that governed the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. We will meet four of these groups in our passage this morning.
When you think about it, a city is its people. And we will see just what kind of city Jerusalem was in Jesus’ time. It was controlled by the Herodians [those faithful to Herod], the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes [the teachers of the Law]. As you study these groups, you can understand why Jesus spent most of his time in the Galilee area.
He must now, however, fulfill His ultimate service, the remission of sin from sinners like you and I. And this He would do by way of the Cross at the bidding of Jerusalem’s leaders.
Once again, God’s will, and way, and timing are at play. These things must come to pass as the Scriptures prophesied.
