40 DAYS - Day 31 - 3.23.21

Love Goes the Distance - Day 31 – Pastor Aime
Read Mark 12:1–17 and focus on 12:2–11 below
Remember to Pause | Read | Reflect | Listen |Pray | Journal |Practice | Encourage/Share |Fast

Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

“Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?” (NKJV)

Jesus reminds the religious leaders of his time that they are mere renters of what ultimately belongs to God. Israel was set apart by our Creator, and the ruler's pride prohibits them from recognizing and submitting to the God who is in control. They should be overjoyed to give back what God has given them, but instead, they are consumed with zealous envy. Fear of losing their status or having to open their minds results in their destruction. The servants in this parable are the prophets whom the leaders rejected. These servants came to call Israel to faithfulness, yet they were met with death. So God sent his only Son to conquer what they aim to control. Jesus Christ became our cornerstone. The very foundation of the Church. God took from the leaders and gave his inheritance to those with an obedient heart.

Real Life Church, what are you doing with what God gave you? Are you giving to God what belongs to God? I fear we often invite God into His own space. We can forget we are mere tenants or stewards of His ground. This week I challenge you to change your mindset. Let’s walk out Christ-like faith with grateful hearts knowing God trusts us with what does not belong to us.  
Prayer Focus – Today, we will pray for all the Christians in the world persecuted for their faith. Let us pray for the renewed strength, courage, and wisdom as they proclaim the Gospel even when it leads to their suffering.