Ask Yourself

In last week’s scripture the parable of the two sons, Jesus was 
challenged when he was asked by the chief priest and the elders “By 
what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this 
authority?” As they were trying Jesus to get what they wanted, but 
now Jesus shares the parable of the tenants, open your Bible to 
Matthew 21: 33-41.

“Hear another parable. (a parable is a story that conveys 
a moral truth.) There was a householder who planted a 
vineyard, (the householder represents God the Father, 
and the vineyard is Israel which is the symbol of the 
government that is regarded as the ruling power by those 
who claimed to be in charge) and set a hedge around it, 
and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out 
to tenants, and went into another country. (a hedge is for 
protection and a tower represents God watching over His 
children from heaven. The tenants were the priest and 
religious leaders and “went into another country” is 
going into heaven.) When the season of fruit drew near, 
he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; and 
the tenants took his (God’s) servants and beat one, killed 
another, and stoned another. (servants were sent to 
correct religious intolerance and were not respected by 
those around them) Again the householder sent other 
servants, more than the first; and they did the same to 
them. Afterward the householder sent his son to them, 
saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants 
saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; 
come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they
took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him, 
‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let 
out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him fruits 
in their seasons.” (other tenants are priest and religious 
leaders) Jesus said to them, “Have you ever read in the 
scriptures: ‘The very stones which the builders rejected 
has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s 
doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore I tell 
you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you 
and given to a nation producing fruits of it.” 

Have you ever tried to belong but were rejected? Have you ever tried 
to be one of them but they didn’t want you? Have you ever been like 
the little boy? A little boy went to his neighbor’s house where his 
neighbors had a big sign out front that read “PUPPIES FOR SALE.” 
Upon arriving at his neighbors house the little boy was tickled to see 
a big liter of puppies barking and playing, biting at each other. One 
little puppy was lying there taking it all in. The little boy sat down 
amongst the puppies and picked this one puppy up in his arms, 
kissing on the puppy talking to it while petting it. 

The little boy carefully stood up and walked over to the owners and 
asked, “How much do you want for this puppy?” The owners replied, 
“OH you don’t want that puppy it’s only got three legs,” to which the 
little boy replied, “I don’t care he’s still good looking and lovable.” 
The owners asked the little boy, “What are you going to do with a dog 
like that who can’t run, who can’t jump, who can’t do anything like the 
other pups who will grow up normal?” Then the owners got quiet and 
tears came to their eyes as they watched the little boy carefully sit 
down holding the pup with three legs in his arms for they realized at 
that moment…the little boy who fell in love with the puppy with three 
legs amongst all the puppies with four legs…the little boy wore an 
artificial leg. 

In the eyes of God there are no rejects for all are His children and God
don’t make no junk. It is those who think they are better, why would 
you want a three legged puppy after all it can’t run and hop and jump 
like a four legged puppy? Those who do not understand hope.

Jesus knew he was going to die and that is what this parable is about 
as Jesus was trying to prepare His disciples. 

Matthew 21: 42-46,

Jesus said to them, “Have you ever read in the scriptures: 
The very stone which the builders rejected has become 
the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it 
is marvelous in his eyes?’ Therefore I tell you, the 
kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given 
to a nation producing the fruits of it. When the chief 
priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they 
perceived that Jesus was talking about them. But when 
they tried to arrest him, they feared the multitudes, 
because they held Jesus to be a prophet.

What was yet to come, 

Luke 23: 23-25:

A third time Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he 
Done? I have found in him no crime deserving death; I 
will therefore chastise him and release him.” But they 
were urgent, demanding with loud cries that Jesus 
should be crucified. And their voice prevailed. So Pilate 
gave sentence that their demand should be granted. He 
released the man who had been thrown into prison for 
insurrection and murder, whom they had asked for; but 
Jesus he delivered up to their will.

The parable of the tenants is also about the Jewish leadership, which 
failed to produce good fruit, being taken apart, and the vineyard being 
given to the church. The church, which will produce good fruit for 
Jesus, said, “who will give him the fruits of their season” for Jesus is 
the vine and we are called to produce good fruit in His name: 

John 15:5-8

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, 
and I am in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart 
from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in 
me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the 
branches are gathered thrown into the fire and burned. If 
you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever 
you will and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is 
glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my 
disciples.

Sadly in the year 2005, it almost repulses me; there are denominations 
who think that they are it and they put their labels of ownership on 
their denomination and on the Lord’s Supper. Thus we have 
denominationalism instead of unity. The history of the church has 
shown over the years that the biggest enemy of the church is the 
leadership who thinks that they are God when in fact they never shall 
be, for there is only one God and he is Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

Today in the United Methodist Church is known as World Communion 
Sunday, a day when we recognize our unity around the world with 
other United Methodist Churches as we are called to be universal and 
inclusive, as Jesus is our example.

Jesus who sat in the Upper Room with His disciples and broke the 
bread saying, this is my body broken for you. Eat this often in 
remembrance of me. And then Jesus took the cup, raised it and said, 
take, drink this is my blood shed for you. Drink this often in 
remembrance of me.

The table has been set and all are welcomed to the Lord’s table to 
take, eat, drink, in remembrance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s 
birth, life, death and resurrection so that all, there are no rejects in the 
eyes of Jesus, all may have salvation and a life everlasting when they 
ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins and invite Jesus into their heart 
and soul. Come and partake, the table of the Lord is open to all.

Ask yourself are you paying your rent, giving God His due? Are you 
rebelling against God or are you trying to cooperate with Him? 

Ask yourself, are you trying to obey the great commandments? You 
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul and your 
mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Ask yourself, are you rejecting someone different than you or are you
greeting them so they see Jesus in you?

Ask yourself, are you reluctant about Adopt-A-Block or are you
listening to God and following not the world’s plans but God’s plans?

Ask yourself, if someone lies down to sleep will they think of you and
see the eyes of God or see the horns of the devil looking back at 
them?

Ask yourself, does hope change everything?

1 Peter 2: 4

Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but 
in God’s sight chosen and precious.

Let us pray,

Father, thank you for loving us when those of this world may look at 
us and turn away saying we are not good enough to associate with 
them. Father, thank you for being color blinded, challenged and 
intellectual blind, and accepting us just as we are. Father, you 
tell us to ask yourself how good you really are. May we 
realize in our daily lives that we are as good as your 
only son, our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ who 
spread His arms apart to die and on the 
third day be resurrected for us. Us, 
Us, not the world but for WE are
all good enough in your eyes 
for you. In you Father I, We,
have hope. To God be
the glory.

Amen




 
10/02/2005/JWM



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