Scripture Readings: Exodus 20:1-9 & Matthew 21: 42-46
Through Exodus 20, the words God spoke have come to be known as the Ten Commandments. They were non-negotiable and reflected the will of God for people. Through Moses, the divine law is revealed in Exodus and repeated in Deuteronomy. Through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described it as the obligation to keep in the heart as well as externally.
The Ten Commandments are primarily relational: The first four deal with our relationship with God, the first four commandments primarily focus on our relationship with God, emphasizing love, worship, and reverence, and the last six address our earthly relationships with people. These commandments teach us the importance of honouring God as our Creator and loving our neighbours as ourselves.
God began by identifying himself as the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. The first command was that the Israelites have no other gods before me. In the second command, God defines what is proper worship. God forbids any attempt to capture an image of God, whether by comparing him to another man-made image or any natural phenomenon. This command prohibits constructing images for the purpose of worshiping them. As in John 4:24, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
The third command instructed the people not to misuse the name of the LORD your God. These words forbid any frivolous use of God’s name, whether in swearing over trivial matters or in emotional outburst. God’s people should use his name only in reverent contexts and never in questionable situations.
The fourth command sets apart the seventh day as a Sabbath which means cease or rest in Hebrew. Although formally instituted here, the Sabbath originated with the giving of the manna (Exod. 16:23). People should work six days and rest on the seventh. The commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day,” calls us to set aside a day for rest and worship. It reminds us of the need for balance in our lives, prioritizing our spiritual well-being alongside our daily responsibilities.
God himself symbolically “rested” on the seventh day of creation, thus sanctifying the day. The command applied to “both people and beast without exception”. God knew the effects of constant physical toil not only on the body but on people’s spirit as well. May we believe that the Ten Commandments were given for our welfare.
The parable of the Wicked Tenants is helpful for guiding reflection on the life of the church or the world today. While it must be interpreted in its historical context as part of the teaching of Jesus against the religious leaders of his day, and in the light of the gospel beyond a specific country, the parable must not remain locked within the limitations of history. As gospel it has contemporary significance.
We can find the issue of the rejection of Jesus, a refusal to acknowledge him as Lord, as God’s anointed, through this parable. This parable of rejection of and violence against the landowner’s son reminds us that the heart of faith is relationship with Jesus. In this parable, the tenants did not destroy an idea or a system of doctrine, and they seized and killed the landowner’s son. The gospel comes to us not only as words, but as a person. Jesus came to save us, but people refused and killed him on the cross. Today’s text suggests that rejection and suffering may follow us as we follow Jesus and move forward with the gospel. This parable teaches us to expect rejection.
The context of the parable is Jesus’ serious warning to the religious leaders of his day. In the image of the parable, the builders reject the foundation stone that sustains the building. Those who expect to be in the kingdom will be rejected if they reject a right relationship with the king.
The parable goes on to say what happens to Jesus’ betrayers. Those who fall upon the stone in a metaphor, who attempt to break Christ will themselves be broken. Rejection and betrayal of Jesus mean turning away from the one who is the life and hindering the reign of God.
Whatever the contrivances of those who reject or betray Jesus, seeking to destroy him, Jesus retains the place given to him from the Father just like the cornerstone remains secure, holding up the building. In this parable, Jesus refers to Himself as the cornerstone that the builders rejected. This metaphor highlights how Christ, the embodiment of God’s Word was rejected by some. The attack on Jesus Christ is fruitless because the authority and purpose of God will prevail.
Though God is not an absentee landlord, mature faith means practicing sound values and devotion on our own, even when God seems distant. Jesus wants us to have responsible stewardship of the vineyard of this earth and bear fruits. Just as a vineyard is expected to produce fruit, God’s Kingdom expects its citizens to bear spiritual fruits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) May we have no fear against worldly attacks and find and work for God’s hidden work for us.
Jesus rejected by the disobedient is the most valuable part of God’s plan. Christ fulfilled the righteous demands of the law on the cross. Jesus will reward worthy stewards who obediently manage his kingdom and follow Jesus. May we ponder what God has done to provide our salvation and take joy in his love for us.
God’s calling and care were constant and extended even after Israel’s repeated rejection of God’s messengers or the prophets. God’s people are called always to repentance and renewal. The world God is attempting to shape through the ministry of the church will not be established by coincidence. It will come only when people change how they live or serve, no longer rejecting the will of tGod who made them and Jesus who is our Saviour but striving to live together in peace and love bearing fruits. We can practically apply this connection in our lives by understanding that obedience to God’s commandments is not a mere checklist but a means to transform our hearts. As we align our lives with God’s Word, we will naturally bear the fruits of the Kingdom.
The parable teaches us that we are accountable for the use of God’s resources and the opportunities He grants us. We are called to be fruitful stewards of His Kingdom. May we live out God’s commandments and produce the fruits of the kingdom. Love serves as the bridge between the commandments and the Kingdom’s fruits. When we love God and our neighbours, we fulfill the essence of the commandments and cultivate the fruits of the Spirit.
God’s Ten Commandments are not just a list of rules but a divine roadmap for righteous living. When we embrace God’s commandments with love, we pave the way for the Kingdom’s fruits to flourish in our lives. As we strive to be fruitful stewards of God’s Kingdom, let us remember that Christ is the cornerstone of our faith, and through Him, we can live in obedience to God’s Word and bear the abundant fruits of love, joy, and peace. May we continuously seek to build our lives on this firm foundation, for in doing so, we bring glory to God and advance His Kingdom on earth. God has prepared everything we need for fruitful living. May we let a day pass by thanking our Lord for his love and sacrifice.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)
