Extravagant Grace

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm 126: 1-6

Philippians 3:4b-14

Luke 20:9-20

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The parable of the wicked tenants articulates the extraordinary patience of the vineyard owner. This parable was not thinly veiled. It was clear to the scribes and chief priests that that this parable had been told against them. The parable tells of servants coming to a vineyard, one after the other, to collect the fruit of the vineyard. But the servants were beaten and treated shamefully. Likewise, God’s prophets came throughout the history of Israel, to collect the fruit of repentance. God’s prophets were beaten and treated shamefully. Ultimately, the vineyard owner sent his son, whom they determined to kill that they may take the inheritance by force. In telling this parable, Jesus prophesied His own shameful treatment and death at the hands of those who would take the kingdom of God, the inheritance, by killing the son.

Jesus concluded with this question which He answered for them, “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” Their response was this: “Surely not!” May it never be! In this response they address the conspiracy to murder, the murder itself, and the owner’s response of removing the tenants. Applying this to themselves, they said “surely not,” we will not conspire to kill the Son of God, we will not kill Him, and we (i.e. Israel) will not be removed from the kingdom. They emphatically said, “may these things never be!”

Will the Son of God be killed? The rulers of Israel said, “surely not!” But Jesus referred them back to their own scriptures to clarify. If the Son of God will not be cast aside, then what does Psalm 118:22 mean? “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” The people could not answer this question, not even the scribes and chief priests.

The answer is that God has worked in a mysterious way, to bring about a great reversal. This is evident in all of our lessons today. Isaiah says, “[the Lord gives] water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” But deserts are dry places, that’s what makes them a desert. Not with God. Psalm 126 says, “the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion…Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” The fortunes are reversed, the one who is sorrowful will shout with joy. God does what is impossible. He brings sinners to repentance and faith and thereby makes poor miserable sinners like you and me saints.

“The scribes and chief priests sought to lay hands on him a that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.” From this point onward, the rulers of Jerusalem will fulfill the prophecy and become the wicked tenants of the vineyard. They will conspire to murder the Son, they will murder the Son, and they will be thrown out of the vineyard.

Is this parable one of law or gospel? In other words, does this parable provide a warning and a condemnation? Or does it provide good news of God’s love for the people? Truly, this parable provides both. Certainly, the parable is a reminder to all people that we are called to bear the fruit of repentance. Specifically, to the establishment in Jerusalem, this parable explained that if the people would not bear the fruit of repentance, they would be cast out. More generally, to all believers of all ages including us, this parable also pronounces a word of warning. He who does not repent, who becomes more and more comfortable with his sin, is endangering himself. Examples have been given to us so that we may avoid this trap of Satan. “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12. These are all categories of law.

But consider the overarching story. Did God really send prophet after prophet to call His people to repentance, even though they were repeatedly treated shamefully? And then ultimately would God really send His Son, who would certainly suffer the same or worse fate from the prophets that came previously? This is called extravagant grace! This parable shows the patient steadfast love of God for the people. This is gospel!

If you hear the call to repentance, but because of your own righteousness you don’t repent, then all you will hear in this parable is judgment. But if you hear the call to repentance, and you soberly reflect on your sin and your failure and your need for a savior, you will see the good news that in Christ Jesus, God reconciled wicked and rebellious sinners like you and me to Himself. That’s right, the great reversal is allegorically expressed as streams in the wilderness, but the reality is so much greater than water for parched lips. The great reversal is that Jesus, the Son of God, submitted Himself to death on the cross in order to save those very people who crucified Him. They sinned, but as they were sinning, He was taking their sins upon Himself.

God’s love for you is extravagant, extraordinary, steadfast, faithful, complete, and a free gift. Hear the Gospel and receive it! Know this for certain: Jesus died on the cross for your sins; in your baptism God has washed away your sins and through the word given you a promise of everlasting life and the gift of the Holy Spirit; and as you come to this altar, poor sinners that you are, Jesus comes to you in His very body and blood, shed for your for the forgiveness of sins. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.