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

The context of this reading is interesting for two reasons and at two different times in the first century. Although next Sunday is Palm Sunday the reading for today actually occurs after Jesus rode into Jerusalem to cheering crowds, chased the money changers out of the temple, and after His authority is challenged by the Pharisees. The people love Him at this point He has thus far successfully challenged the religious leaders. The religious authorities were all about the law at least as they perceived it and cared little for the people. Instead of caring for the flock they placed a heavy burden on them. The people see Jesus as a prophet, and many believe He is the Messiah, the one that can bring relief from their burden. That is the first context of the reading.

The second context of this gospel is at the time it was available to the people. Most scholars believe that Luke wrote the gospel around 60 AD. As scribes copied the script it would be a few years perhaps a decade until it would be shared among the early followers of the Way.

A decade takes us to 70 AD when the Romans suppressed a Jewish revolt and destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus had predicted this event would occur and it ties in with the tenants of the vineyard being cast out and new tenants allowed in.

This also was a time of persecution in the church. Not only was Rome against the early Christians. Now the Jews were openly attacking them because of the events in Jerusalem. Followers of the Way were considered a Jewish sect but when the revolt broke out the followers avoided involvement drawing wrath from the Jews. Followers that remained faithful to the Way were leaving Jerusalem. They carried the Gospel far and wide even to the new tenants, the Gentiles.

Looking again at the context at the time of that first Holy Week and the parable; the owner of vineyard is God, the tenants are the Pharisees, the new tenants are the Gentiles, and the son we all know is Jesus. The servants sent before the son are the prophets sent throughout Old Testament times including John the Baptist, often ignored and often suffering because the people were so stubborn in their ways. In this parable Jesus is also exposing the murderous plot the leaders would soon execute to remove Jesus and His followers from significance in Jerusalem.

The religious authorities saw Jesus as an agitator subverting their authority, and as such could trigger the Romans to take action against Israel and destroy the nation. In that respect we can rationalize that the Pharisees are acting in a logical manner to preserve the nation or at least their comfortable role in the nation. In truth the later is probably their real motive. For all of the outward piety of the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees they twisted the Law to take advantage of the people and to avoid financial responsibilities.

In the parable Jesus tells us that the event triggering the revolt of the tenants is the request by the land owner for his share of the fruits. Share cropping was common place in Palestine, in exchange for working the owners land to grow crops the owner was paid a share of the crops.

In this world God asks for a share, first fruits, He has asked that of all people of all times. We live in His vineyard, creation. We usually associate first fruits with money in our culture. The tithe of the Old Testament is more than money, its time, talents, and treasures. Most importantly it's our focus on Him.

If our primary focus is not on God and working to His glory why would He bless us? If we fall into that trap of selfishness then we are like the tenants of the vineyard. God is not going to bless those who do not recognize He owns the vineyard and give back first fruits with joy in their hearts. Any focus other than on Him is carrying out our own selfish wishes like so many have done in the past.

This isn't limited to just people because people make up the church.

I suspect that every successful church has the same common theme. God and sharing the Good News are their primary focus. Everything fits into that theme. Every initiative is a tool used to accomplish His mission.

Of course there are plenty of churches that are stumbling as well. I suspect we can also see a common theme there.

Here are the dangers of a church that focuses on something other than God. The joy of serving God is lost. Without that joy they don't look outward only inward. Typically there are divisions within the congregation that paralyze efforts to change. The major concern is always how to keep the lights on rather joyfully giving a tithe of their blessings. Encouragement of each other as believers is only superficial without Jesus taking priority in their lives. Education takes a back seat to all other activities. Essentially the congregation becomes stagnant if not stifling without God as the foremost reason for existence.

Healthy churches are always looking outward for ways to build up the flock and get the message out into the community. Regardless of success rates they keep trying because they recognize that is part of being good stewards of God's blessings.

At the end of the parable the beloved owner's son is thrown out and killed, more precisely it means he was rejected and killed. The meaning was all to clear and startling to the people listening to the parable. Jesus then asks the meaning of 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone'? He added the answer, everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but those it falls on will be crushed. The meaning may not be clear to us in this age but it echoes our discussion. For those who recognize Jesus as our priority the worldly concerns are shattered because He has promised to take care of them. For those that continue the selfish path the capstone will crush them. Jesus was clear He will acknowledge before the throne of God those who acknowledge Him among others but not those who reject him. (Matt 10:32)

In our heart of hearts and before God this morning each of us needs to ask some very important questions. What truly is my primary focus in life? What truly is the primary focus of this congregation?

If the answer to either question is not our Lord, then ask yourself what do I plan to do about it?

In the name of our risen Lord and savior Jesus Christ, Amen.