A Pointed Parable

The religious leaders in Jesus' day had it out for him big time. I'm not sure I would have blamed them had I been one of them. He was a threat to everything they held dear and understood to be true, or at least wanted to be true. Unfortunately, they placed their trust more in man-made, faulty understandings of scripture rather than listening to the true Word of God - Jesus himself.

When reading the parable Jesus told of the vineyard workers killing the owner's son, it would be easy to simply shake our heads at these church leaders thinking, "If only they would have opened their eyes and hearts to the truth. How blind they were!" However, I can't help but wonder how often I could fit right in with them and their stubborn pride. How frequently have I ignored Jesus' authority in my life? How easy is it for me to scoff at his call to obedience, closing my ears or heart to what he is trying to teach me? Anytime I seek my own will over his, I am no better than the chief priests, teachers of the law or elders.

Thankfully, Jesus loved me, and you, enough to endure the suffering and death he knew was a part of his future. His great love for us is still alive today calling us to greater dependence on him, fuller obedience, deeper love. Take time this season of Lent to examine your own heart asking Jesus to come and remove pride that would keep you from him and his will. Rediscover just how costly his grace is that covers our sins as you reflect on his sacrifice. Receive his "full forgiveness" for your sins. Then, be bold to follow him, putting away selfish pride and seek to serve others as he did. May we each live in more complete obedience to him and His Word each day.