Crazy Love!

Then He began to speak to them in parables: "a man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tennant farmers and went away. At harvest time he sent a slave to the farmers to collect some of the fruit of the vineyard from the farmers. But they took him, beat him, and sent him away empty handed. Again he sent another slave to them, and they hit him on the head and treated him shamefully.
Then they sent another, and they killed that one. He also sent many others; they beat some and they killed some.
He still had one to send, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, "They will respect my son."
But those tennant farmers said among themselves, "This is the heir. Come let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!" So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.
Therefore, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers and give the vineyard to others. Haven't you read the scripture:
'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes.'(ps 118:22-23)
Because they knew He said this parable against them, they were looking for a way to arrest Him, but they were afraid of the crowd. So they left Him and went away. Mark 12:1-12

Are you like me and wonder: why did the owner choose such villains to lease his vineyard? What made him willing to sacrifice the lives of his faithful servants and finally his son? Surely this is not wisdom, not proper care of his property and the lives of those under him? In fact I find this offensive. Our culture today would call him and idiot.

Why did he choose to be seen as a fool? The only possible reason would be love. Why would he love these villains so much that he gave them every opportunity to repent? Why would he risk so many lives for these villains? Why would he risk his son?

This level of love is crazy. It is like the abused wife who stays in a marriage, a religious person willing to be beaten and abused for his faith. Or is it?

Help me understand your love Lord! Out of the midst of the very people who crucified your Son came Paul. He called himself the sinner of all sinners. He abused your people but in an instance was changed. His teachings fill the bulk of the New Testament and my life with Your glory.

The death of your Son made a way for us Gentiles to come to You without disgrace, without condemnation. I praise You! I cannot express to you how grateful I am! Thank You Lord! Amen!

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