Parable of the wicked vinedressers
The parable of the wicked husbandmen may be read in Mathew 21:33-46. Through this parable, Jesus conveyed a message to the chief priests and Pharisees that the kingdom of God offered to them would be taken from them and given to “a nation bring forth the fruits thereof”, and that “whosoever shall fall on this tone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder”. Jews of the physical Israel had lost the kingdom of God by rejecting the Christ. The kingdom of God has since been turned over to those who are accepting the Christ in many nations. The same message holds good for us today. There are chief priests and Pharisees in our midst. They claim through their mouth that they have accepted Christ as their Savior but deny Him through their life. The Lord has blessed them with all resources including abundant finances so that they might bring forth the fruits. They have built their own empires and not the Kingdom of God. They evangelize the same people who have already heard the gospel. They have not used their resources for preaching the gospel to those who have not heard the gospel even once in their lifetime. They may prophesy in Jesus’ Name. They may cast out demons and do many wonders in His Name. If they have not done the will of the Father, Jesus will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, ye who work iniquity” (Matt.7: 21-23). The ministries given to these people will be taken away from them and given to those who will do the will of the Father and who will bring forth the fruits thereof.
Whoever falls on this stone will be broken. Jesus is the Chief Corner Stone of the Church or the household of God, which is being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph.2: 19-20). Those people who do not do the will of the Father may fall on this Stone in the household of God and will be broken. It may be an anointed servant of God, a Christian ruler or a Christian businessman. If he or she does not do the will of the Father, he or she will stumble on this Stone and will be broken.
On whomsoever this Stone shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Christians are being persecuted all over the world. The other day I read a message that the evangelical churches in some European nations are going underground because some laws are being enacted in these nations, which would directly affect the evangelical work. This Stone will fall on those national leaders, who persecute the body of Christ and will grind them to power. The Son of God is angry and His wrath is kindled but a little. They will perish in the way unless they repent and turn to the Son (Ps.2: 10-12).
- Job Anbalagan