Jesus gives us the Parable of the Vineyard Owner in Luke 20:9-19. It is a parable about a man who leased a vineyard to tenant farmers, a common practice of His day. The owner expected a portion of the harvest, but the tenant farmers treated shamefully each of the servants he sent to collect some of the fruit. Eventually the owner decides to send his “beloved son” expecting him to be treated with respect.
Instead, the tenant farmers plot to kill the owner’s son. When the owner of the vineyard hears his son has been killed, he decides to come and destroy the tenant farmers. The scribes and chief priests who hear this parable know that it has been spoke about them.
Jesus then quotes Psalm 118:22: “The stone that the builders rejected—this has become the cornerstone.”
The Jewish leaders had no place in their plans for the Son of God. God, however, will vindicate His Son, who is the “Stone. He will give him the place of preeminence by making Him the “Chief Cornerstone,” a stone which carries the key foundational role. That “Chief Cornerstone” is indispensable and holds the place of greatest honor
Not only will God vindicate His Son, but all those who oppose Him will meet destruction. It is risky business to stand in opposition to the precious stone whom God has exalted.
The scribes and chief priests who were listening acknowledged the truth of Jesus’ statement by their reaction. “Then the scribes and the chief priests looked for a way to get their hands on Him that very hour, because they knew He had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.” [vs 19 HCSB]
Opposition to Jesus grows more intense. The scribes and chief priests know that their position is being challenged. They seek ways to arrest Jesus, but for now He is still too popular with the people. They need to seek a way to discredit Him and reverse His popularity.
It is not easy to surrender everything to Jesus the Chief Cornerstone but considering the alternative (having that Stone crush any who refuse to), it is a splendid choice.
