Dear Explorer,
Read Matthew 21:33-46
And
Read Mark 12:1-12
And
Read Luke 20:9-19
You may not be familiar with sharecrop renting, but you are familiar with renting in general. You know that a man will invest his money in a house, refurbish it and spend a lot of time and energy and money getting it just right, then find a tenant to rent the place. In share-crop renting, the tenants paid the rent by giving the owner a share of the crop.
What would the owner do today if the tenants refused to pay the rent but wouldn't leave?
They would call the police to evict them and the renters would be in big trouble! Everyone recognizes the legality of that course of action. So, what is Jesus saying?
God is our Creator. All He asks is for us to love and trust Him and follow His way. Yet, the people of Israel had a history of killing the prophets that God sent them. And now they are about to kill the Son. Did Jesus claim to be the Son of God here?
Yes, He did!
And even though it's not politically correct, you need to acknowledge that as our “owner”, God has a right to determine what happens to those who refuse to accept His plan.
The priests and teachers of the Law knew exactly what Jesus was saying. He was declaring that He was the Son of God, sent to collect the rent. If they refused – judgment would come.
Is God's way narrow-minded? It is open to all who desire to receive it. But all those who reject it are doing so at great risk.
We can see a more modern-day example of this in the Harry Potter Book Series. The author, J.K. Rowling, wrote her book. She sent it to many, many publishers asking if they would publish it for her. An amazing number of them said, “No, thank you.” But one publisher read it and said “Yes”. The rest is history.
Was Ms. Rowling being mean or exclusive or narrow-minded when she allowed the one publisher to print her book?
No! She had given many, many others the chance to publish it and they had refused.
They missed out on a gold mine of success because of their choice.
Do you think the other publishers that missed out should be mad at Ms. Rowling?
No! They had their chance and refused it.
Neither do people have a right to be mad at God. Yet, many run around saying that God is exclusive and not welcoming to all. They are wrong. All are invited, but few will choose to believe.
God will someday soon send Jesus to collect the rent! Make sure that you are ready!
In His service, dale
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