6 He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally, he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7 But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8 And they took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard.

In this part of Jesus’ parable about the vineyard which Jesus told to the religious leaders, he speaks of himself. He is the beloved son whom the Father sent (6). Jesus again shows he knows about his future death because he portrays the tenants as killing the son who was sent (7). Jesus knew he was going to die.

But, even as he approached his death, he knew of the love of the Father. He referred to his character in the story as the "beloved son." Because they are One—Father, Son, and Spirit, three in one—it is not divine child abuse that the Father and Son colluded for the Son to die for the sin of the world. It was all love—that's why Jesus described himself as the "beloved son" in this parable.

The Last Messenger

And just as the son was the final messenger in the parable, so is he the final messenger and message today. God has revealed himself in creation. God has revealed himself in Israel's story. He has revealed himself in fulfilled prophecy. But now he has revealed himself in his Son.

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son..." (Hebrews 1:1–2, ESV)

The last messenger has come. And we still preach him today.

Jesus Is the Cornerstone

9 What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not read this Scripture: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 11 this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?" 12 And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

This is where the vineyard story takes a turn. Remember Isaiah 5? In that passage, the vineyard was destroyed in God's judgment. In this parable, it is not the vineyard that is destroyed, but the tenants of the vineyard. They were held responsible for the lack of fruit for the master.

The religious leaders realized that Jesus was talking about them: they perceived that he had told the parable against them (12). They were not super stoked to have been called out in this way, and they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the people (12). They'd have to wait for a more private time to apprehend Jesus for their vile purposes.

But the parable showed that God would judge them.

God Is Just

But the parable showed that God would judge them. This is another thing we learn about God in this short story. He is good and gracious in that he provides all of us an opportunity for fruit. He is longsuffering and will send waves of messengers to draw us to himself. But we should not misinterpret his longsuffering nature as his permission to live however we want. Eventually, justice must be served. Judgment must arrive. God will deal with all sin. Because of his holiness, he must. He cannot overlook it.

But, be not alarmed. Though he must judge, it was the last messenger, the sent and beloved Son, that made a way for mercy and grace. He will judge, but he first released his judgment into his Son. Don't reject him. He is your gift. Believing in him can garner you the righteousness of God.

Jesus Became the Cornerstone for a New Humanity

Notice with me the Scripture Jesus quoted for them. It came from Psalm 118, the same passage the crowds sang to Jesus during the triumphal entry a couple of days earlier (Mark 11:9-10). Jesus asked them if they'd ever read it—"Have you not read this Scripture?" (10). The Sanhedrin. The teachers of Israel. Had they ever read Psalm 118? Yeah, but they'd never understood it.

In the Psalm, there is a line about a stone that arrived at the construction site. The builders looked at it and didn't want it. They sent it away. Then the time came for the setting of the all-important cornerstone. They looked around the quarry for it and realized they had accidentally rejected it. It was the cornerstone!

Jesus quotes this little lyric to help them understand what was happening. The Son had come. They didn't know he was the all-important Son of God, the Christ-Messiah, so they rejected him. But he was actually the most important part of the new structure he was building. He is the chief cornerstone.

One day, everyone will recognize Jesus for who he is (Philippians 2:8-11). Every knee will bow. For many, this recognition will be too late. But the chief cornerstone will be revealed.

If Jesus is the cornerstone, with the Scriptures being the foundation, we must build our lives off of him and his word (Ephesians 2:20).

Jesus is the most important part of the new people of God.

"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4–5, ESV)

He invented a new humanity called the church. If we set any other person, philosophy, ambition, or goal in the cornerstone position, the church will die a slow death. We must allow Christ to be the central piece, the one who keeps us in line and true. His gospel is good, and we must never waver from its glory. Let's continue to pursue him, to allow him the authority and preeminence he rightfully deserves.

On whom should I build my life? Only on Jesus.