Sunday, October 23, 2011

A Morning Cup of Tea: The Parable of the Vineyard Owner

Good morning! It's not quite so chilly this morning as it was yesterday. I have my buddy right beside me once again, rocking and singing. I love seeing how happy he is today.
  Today we begin chapter 12 of Mark.  Jesus is still in the temple, speaking. He told the people there a parable of a rich man who bought some land, set up a vineyard, and put managers in charge of it. He then went to a far off city. When the harvest time came, the man sent a servant to see about it. The managers beat him severely and sent him on his way. The vineyard owner sent other servants and they were either beaten severely or killed. Finally the man sent his only son. Surely they would reverence him. But the managers, thinking they would receive the inheritance if the son was gone, killed him also.  And what would the Vineyard owner do about this? He would come and destroy the managers and put others in charge of the vineyard.
  The chief priests and the elders knew that Jesus was speaking about them and they were not happy one bit. They wanted to do away with Jesus right then but they knew Jesus was well loved among the people. They feared what would happen should they try something at that point. They left him and went on their way. They weren't done yet, though. They sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to talk with him and try to see if he would say something they could pounce on. This group asked him, Is it lawful to give to Caesar? (Taxes). 
 Jesus knew what they were doing. He asked to see a penny, which they gave him. He asked whose picture and wording was on the coin. Of course, it was Caesar. Jesus gave them their answer: Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's.
 The questioning is not over, as we shall see tomorrow, Lord willing, beginning in verse 18 when the Sadducees  discuss marriage and the afterlife. 
  Have a wonderful Lord's day.

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