March 27, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

A man planted a vineyard and put a wall around it, and dug a vat under the wine press and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers and went on a journey. (Mark 12:1)

Parables are not necessarily cryptic stories whose details are to be decoded as if they each stand for something in particular. That could lead to unhealthy interpretations. Instead, its overall message should be discerned and, needless to say, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The Parable of the Vine-growers speaks of the abundant grace God freely bestows upon us. It’s the story of His creation and its stewards which is man. But God is not a difficult landowner who demands a large yield. He does not need anything from anyone and His nature is ever-blessing and never taking. Rather, He wants us to be productive for our own benefit. The only fitting response is not repayment but thanksgiving expressed through obedience.