Honor The Son

“ ‘What will I do?’ the owner asked himself. ‘I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’ But when the farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him. What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to those farmers?” Jesus asked.

Luke 20:13-15

When the master of the vineyard sent his servants to collect a portion of the harvest, the farmers killed them. So he sent his son, believing that the farmers would surely honor his flesh and blood, but they killed the son as well. When Jesus shared this parable, the Pharisees became furious. They knew that he was referring to them. Just like the farmers in the parable, the Pharisees had taken ownership of the vineyard —the religion of their fathers. Just as the farmers didn’t accept the master’s son, the Pharisees could not accept that Jesus was sent from God; thus they plotted to kill him. It is ironic that as they walked away that day, planning Jesus’ arrest, they resembled the farmers even more than they realized. God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, and yet that Son was met with death and dishonor. His resurrection proved once and for all that he was indeed the Son of God. Surely there is no better way to celebrate the season of spring than to honor the Father by remembering the Son.

DEAR GOD, today I rejoice over the resurrection of your precious Son! I won’t forget what he has done for me. You sent him to earth and he was dishonored, but I pray that I will honor him by remembering the cross. I will acknowledge his sacrifice and celebrate his resurrection. Thank you that he burst from the tomb to live inside us.

Our great honor lies in being just what Jesus was and is. To be accepted by those who accept him, rejected by all who reject him, loved by those who love him and hated by everyone who hates him. What greater glory could come to any man? A. W. TOZER (1897–1963)

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The One Year Bible Readings for today are Joshua 21:1–22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; and Proverbs 13:15-16.