Grace in the Desert and in the Vineyard
(Free Version)- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46
This week’s readings can be found here. Looking for the podcast? Find it here. Check out discount for Paid subscribers:
In the scriptures, we find a consistent pattern: it is often in the in-between seasons when God is most at work, forming his people. These times when we are “on the edge” are a gift because they require trust. The truth is that we are always “on the edge,” always dependent on God, whether we feel secure in our current situation or not.
When God’s people are crossing the Red Sea because of a miracle, they can see clearly see the work God, and they simply walk into it. When they are eventually in the Promised Land, there is so much to be thankful for right in front of them. But in the desert? With the wild animals? God shows himself, but it often feels more sporadic and opaque. These are the times that require trust. And it is in these moments that God does something unique.
In our Old Testament reading (Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20) we hear (with some of the verses omitted) of God’s giving the Ten Commandments to Israel. The foundation of the commandments are God’s faithfulness to his people. He brought them out of slavery in Egypt. The commandments are not transactional, as if God were saying “Do this for me to pay me back for what I did for you.” In no way! Rather, God is forming his people by his character. The Ten Commandments are characterized by at least two things: faithfulness and deep love and reverence for one’s fellow image-bearer.
This is the way of Jesus, to which the Ten Commandments point. In our epistle reading (Philippians 3:4b-14), Paul acknowledges that, if one were to measure one’s value based on ethnicity, he (Paul) has all the badges! Yet, now, he sees his value only in Christ. It is Christ who defines him and Christ is the only one in whom he trusts because he is the faithful one.
In our gospel reading (Matthew 21:33-46), Jesus points a harsh critique in the direction of the religious leadership in Judea. Drawing on a familiar image of Israel as a vineyard and God as the landowner, Jesus tells the story of a time when a landowner sends his servants to the land to collect his produce. Each time he sends them, the tenants kill seize and kill the servants. Finally, thinking that his own son would engender more reverence from the tenants, he sends him, but the story is the same.
It is clear to the chief priests and religious leaders that Jesus is referring them as the ones who have been given stewardship over the land. It is clear from the image that the prophets, who have been given the words of God throughout Israel’s history, are the servants. Jesus is the son, and he is being rejected, and will be killed.
Therefore, a change in stewardship is necessary. Jesus is saying that God’s kingdom is received by those who put their trust in him. It is not received by those who are preoccupied with who is “in” and who is “out.” It is not received by those clinging for control. It is received by those who know their ultimate dependence.
Jesus is the faithful one and he is leads his people into faithfulness. The grace of the kingdom is so often rejected by a world built on status and separation. Grace is the ultimate stumbling block. The good news is that Christ died, even for those who killed him, and those who reject grace today.
May we know the one who has delivered us and be formed by his faithfulness. May we not be content with being defined by the ways of the world, our cultural and societal badges of membership; choosing instead to know Christ in the power of his resurrection, sharing in his sufferings. And may we be scandalized by God’s welcoming grace so that it is overwhelming in our eyes.