A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

ANOTHER PARABLE – PARABLE OF THE TENANTS      

Matthew 21:42-44 (Read Matthew 21:33-46) Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “ ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” 

The renters schemed to take over the vineyard. They used sheer physical force to drive away the owner’s servants sent to collect the rent. They ultimately killed the owner’s son believing doing so would give them a free pass to legally take over the vineyard. The owner, however, had the last word. 

The point of this parable told by Jesus is God provided the vineyard, not the renters. Likewise, all of the schemes of the Jewish religious and political leaders could not set aside God’s plan of salvation. God prophesied through the Old Testament Prophets He would send His Son into the world to be the “cornerstone,” the lynch-pin,” the foundation upon which the saving faith of sinners would be built into His church, the Body of Christ. 

Jesus was rejected by the Jewish leaders and their followers. There rejection of Him changed nothing. He remained the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. God chose, when they rejected His Son, to bring into His kingdom as we learned in yesterday’s devotion those who the Jewish leaders considered unfit. God sent His Son to “seek and to save the lost.” 

Prayer: Grant me faith to believe in and trust in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the light. Amen. 

Chief of sinners thought I be, Jesus shed His blood for me,  
Died that I might live on high, Lives that I might never die.  
As the branch is to the vine, I am His, and He is mine. 

Oh, the height of Jesus’ love, Higher than the heav’ns above,  
Deeper than the depths of sea, Lasting as eternity!  
Love that found me—wondrous thought! Found me when I sought Him not. 

Only Jesus can impart Balm to heal the wounded heart,  
Peace that flows from sin forgiv’n, Joy that lifts the soul to heav’n,  
Faith and hope to walk with God In the way that Enoch trod. 

Chief of sinners thought I be, Christ is all in all to me; 
 All my wants to Him are known, All my sorrows are His own.  
He sustains the hidden life Safe with Him from earthly strife. 

O my Savior, help afford By Your Spirit and Your Word!  
When my wayward heart would stray, Keep me in the narrow way;  
Grace in time of need supply While I live and when I die.  

Chief of Sinners Though I Be // LSB 611