Sour Grapes

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

Matthew 21:33-46

Jesus had a special story to tell the chief priests and Pharisees of His day. He used a metaphor for a landowner who planted a vineyard, complete with a winepress and tower. This was a perfect business ready to be run for a profit. He leased the property to vinedressers who would manage it for him. Vinedressers were professional grape farmers with specialized skills in all things “grape.” Planting, pruning, and training the branches to grow were just a few of their talents. They would also be responsible for fertilizing, insect control, and irrigation, everything required to produce a vibrant and healthy vineyard. Farm to table, grape to bottle. This was a huge honor and responsibility given to the vinedressers.

The landowner traveled to a different country to conduct other business. As harvest time grew near, he sent his agents to these vinedressers to receive the vineyard's bounty. The property managers took the representatives, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. They planned to keep the profits all to themselves. From black hearts come dark deeds!

The landowner sent more delegates to the vineyard. The same thing happened. Finally, he sent his son, thinking they would show him respect and not harm him. The wicked farmers had only their gain in mind. They realized that if they killed the son, they could get all of his inheritance, plus the property. They took the son and threw him out of the vineyard and took his life! Dark deeds, indeed!

Let’s break down the components of Jesus’ Glory Story. A vineyard usually refers to Israel in the Old Testament. Vinedressers are considered to be communicators of God’s word to the people. They are the priests and rabbis of the church. The representatives being sent by the landowner, Father God, were the prophets and messengers to instruct, correct, or rebuke the people. They were sent to ensure the “crops” were healthy and the “fields” produced good yields. The agents the owner sent and a second wave of delegates were brutally murdered. The Master had to send His ultimate ambassador, Jesus, to talk some sense into these people. But the vinedressers' logic was so twisted and corrupt that they took the son, God’s Son, out of the city, Jerusalem, and killed him. They figured they would inherit the entire business, or so they hoped.

Jesus questioned the priests and Pharisees: “When the owner returns, what do you think he will do with these evil vinedressers?” They answered Jesus: “Why, he will destroy these men and lease his vineyard over to others who would tend it and produce rich, bountiful crops. That’s what he would do!”

Jesus gets down to the punchline of His story: “Do you guys read Scripture? Can you not see the parallels here? Do you not realize that I’m the cornerstone it talks about; I’m the One you builders are rejecting? This was My Father’s marvelous plan all along. Let me tell you something! Because you have abused your God-given rights by killing innocent workers, your privileges will be revoked and given to others who will properly bring everything in at harvest. These others would now include Gentile workers who become My representatives, too! Here’s the point! If someone chooses to believe in me, their heart will be humbled and blessed. If they choose not to believe, they will be crushed without mercy. It’s all about choice!”

When the priests and Pharisees heard Jesus’ words, they finally grasped the obvious and were seriously and unanimously insulted! “How dare He talk to us that way! Doesn't He know who we are? We’re big shots around here!” And self-righteous anger gripped their black hearts. They were planning to do serious harm to Jesus, but remembered all the positive press He was receiving from the local population, good public relations. Jesus was “trending” with lots of followers! The priests and Pharisees wisely reconsidered.

God’s Word is sweet and full of life. The harvest is plentiful, but good help is hard to find. Vinedressers are responsible for preserving the sweetest fruits of God’s love for His children. He has no use for wicked farmers who produce only “sour grapes.”

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