03/31/2014

Written by Matthew Thompson

Mark 12:2 “At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, in order to receive some of the produce of the vineyard from the vine-growers.”

Being a vine-grower was a position of honor. At that time in Israel’s history, poverty was rampant. The people lived under Roman occupation and were taxed beyond their means. Career opportunities were limited to inheriting your father's trade, or being born wealthy and buying land from an estate in which there was no male heir.

The idea of simply being handed a turn-key business was virtually unheard of. The people hearing this story would have given anything to be chosen for such a job.

All of the hard labor required to setup the vineyard was already done by the landowner. Every tool that was needed was already in place. The needs of the vine growers had been anticipated and provided for before they even realized what they were.

In return for being entrusted with the vineyard, the vine-growers had an obligation. They were to diligently tend to the plants, guard the vineyard from outside attackers, harvest and process the fruit, and then return a portion of it to the land owner.

Each of us has been called to a place of service. It wasn’t something we earned, or something we created. If we are faithful to lean upon His grace, and to give the honor and glory to Him rather than hoarding it for ourselves, then the harvest that we will see cannot be measured.