Text: Mark 11:27-33 & 12:1-12

What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Mark 12:9

The religious leaders of Israel how an outward appearance of holiness, piety, and knowledge of God.  But God knows the heart. Throughout Scripture, God stresses that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart--the motivations and reasons we do what we do. And the leadership of Israel had failed miserably in their leadership. It was all about them. Their worship and devotion to God was ultimately motivated by pride, fear, and self-love.

The major features of the parable in our text revolves around the basic role of Israel in God’s plan. God has currently set aside the nation of Isreal, and placed His vineyard in the care of “others,” that is, the Gentiles.

In Romans 11, Paul picks up where Jesus’ image leaves off. He makes the point that though the original branches (Israel) have been cut out, they can and will be grafted in again in the future (Rom. 11:12, 14–15, 26–27, 29–32). In other words, a day is coming when Israel will again have a major role in God’s plan.

In the meantime, we (the church) must serve faithfully, for if God can cut off unfaithful original branches, He can do the same with unfaithful grafted-in branches. Darrell Bock notes, "Proximity to blessing is not a cause for pride but for humility." God expects fruit from His vineyard. The vineyard isn't ours, nor is the fruit it produces. And fruit isn't produced through more rules, regulations, and religious rituals. Fruit is produced in and through Jesus! He is the cornerstone! Your life is a gift and an assignment from God for the glory of Jesus!

Paul writes in Philippians, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me..." (Philippians 1:21-22)  "But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith..."(Philippians 1:24-25)

"So the upshot of Paul’s life is that other people are making much of Jesus by being joyful in Jesus and boasting in Jesus. This is what it means for Paul to say 'to live is Christ.'" (John Piper).  This is the good fruit God is looking for in His church!

So practically today--

• Love God. Get to know Jesus. Spend time daily in His Word and in prayer. And be conscious of His presence and power today.
• Love your neighbor. 

For additional insights, listen to THIS podcast by John Piper.