The Parables of Jesus: The Rejected Son

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.  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.  And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed.  And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out.  Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.'  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.'  And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?  He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others." 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."  The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. - Luke 20:9‭-‬19 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

This is Jesus' response to the religious leaders questioning His authority. They wanted to get rid of him, but Jesus was too popular and the leaders were afraid of the people. So they took a shot at Jesus to attack his teaching.

Human nature

This parable is understandable to the common man. Throughout that time the nation of Israel was portrayed as a vineyard. So the idea that the vineyard is taken from the tenants meant that God would take away from the Israelites. The servants were the prophets. The owner was Father God. So the son can only be Jesus. Specifically, the tenants were the religious leaders.

Jesus speaks about Israel, but really it is not just the Israelites, but people and their hearts. Israel is hard hearted and anti God. But Israel is not alone in this, we all suffer from this. We are all sinners​. We all want to live our way and ignore God.

Unbelief comes from a desire not to submit to God. There are no objective views, not even scientists. We do not wish there to be a God. There are many atheists who disavow God, His very existence.

But some are more convert, there are many religious people who only serve themselves. They are in the vineyard, but they are taking the rightful place of the owner. Their devotion to God is to serve their self interests. Serving is to upkeep their image and to give them a sense of worth. Service is done not for God, but the praise of men.

Covert rebellion is also found in twisting the Bible to suit ourselves. We pursue our own desires and cover it over with theological argument. We gloss over what the Bible says rather than submit to what God desires. We want to be owners rather than managers over all the things that God has given to us.

God's nature

Why does God keep sending servants? Is God stupid? No. He is patient and tenacious in seeking out the people He loves. Servant after servant. He does not quickly retaliate, unlike us. He does not give up on hard headed, stubborn people. God does not treat us as our sins deserve.

The nature of God's judgement

Those who reject the servants and the son will be destroyed. God's judgement will obliterate. Jesus quotes from Psalm 118, letting us know that He will be the cornerstone. The entire building will be built to a new standard, Jesus. He is speaking of God's rebuilding from only being for the nation of Israel, to being also for the gentiles. Jesus claims to be the way, the truth, and the life. The only one. Those crushed are those who reject Jesus. They will be crushed by the full judgement of God.