In Matthew 21:33–46, Jesus tells a violent parable about tenants entrusted with God’s vineyard. It is not a story of God rejecting Israel. The vineyard is bearing fruit as people dismissed by its leaders respond to God’s call. Isaiah names justice and righteousness; Matthew adds repentance and mercy. Can those entrusted with God’s people recognize that fruit—and change when they have stood in its way?
Matthew 21:33-46 (19th Sunday after Pentecost) – October 8th, 2023
Immediately we need to be very careful in our sermons this week. We need to take a hard look at the commentaries that we are using. Because this is one of the antisemitic clobber passages that has been blatantly mishandled for many generations.
