God, as it were, draws somewhat apart from man, that he may have free play for his choice, and bear the burden of responsibility. We all, in like manner, have intrusted to us, to do as we will with, the various gifts and powers of Christ’s gospel.
#UNDISTURBED DISCLOSURE SCRIPTURE FULL#
The Jew was invested with full possession of the vineyard. The language of Matthew which threatens the taking of the vineyard and giving it to another nation obliges us to regard the nation as included in the husbandmen, though primarily the expression is addressed to the rulers.īut more important is it to note the strong expressions for man’s quasi-independence and responsibility. The usual interpretation limits the meaning to the rulers, but, if so, it is difficult to carry out the application, as the vineyard would then have to be regarded as being the nation, which confuses all. It may be a question whether the tenants are to be understood as only the official persons, or whether, while these are primarily addressed, they represent the whole people. The ‘letting of the vineyard to husbandmen’ means the committal to Israel and its rulers of these divine institutions, and the holding them responsible for their fruitfulness. What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it?’ Isaiah’s solemn appeal has a still sharper edge for Christians: ‘Judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What was true of the ancient Church is still more true of us who have received every requisite for holy living. Thus abundantly had God furnished Israel with all that was needed for fruitful, happy service. The fence was to keep off marauders, whether passers-by or ‘the boar out of the wood’ Psa_80:12 - Psa_80:13 the wine-press, for which Mark uses the word which means rather the vat into which the juice from the press proper flowed, was to extract and collect the precious liquid the tower was for the watchman.Ī vineyard with all these fittings was ready for profitable occupation. Our Lord follows the original passage in the description of the preparation of the vineyard, but it would probably be going too far to press special meanings on the wall, the wine-press, and the watchman’s tower. But there is a slight difference in the application of the metaphor which in Isaiah means the nation, and in the parable is rather the theocracy as an institution, or, as we may put it roughly, the aggregate of divine revelations and appointments which constituted the religious prerogatives of Israel. The picture is based upon Isaiah’s lovely apologue Isa_5:1, which was, no doubt, familiar to the learned officials. The parable begins with a tender description of the preparation and allotment of the vineyard. Jesus increased in severity and bold attack as the end drew near. Much they cared for even divine authority, as they and their predecessors had shown through centuries! The veil of parable is transparent here. That keen-edged retort plainly indicates Christ’s conviction of the rulers’ insincerity, and in this parable He charges home on these solemn hypocrites their share in the hereditary rejection of messengers whose authority was unquestionable. If they steeled themselves against acknowledging the Forerunner, they would not be receptive of Christ’s message.
If they decided whence John came, they would not be at any loss as to whence Jesus came. His answer, a counter-question as to John’s authority, was not an evasion. The ecclesiastical rulers had just been questioning Jesus as to the authority by which He acted.
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