Matthew 21: 28-46

I really enjoy these two parables. They both just cut straight to the heart for me.

Matthew 21:28-32-
How often are we the son who says "Sure, glad to." But never goes? I feel like this all the time. I feel driven to pursue a life in the ministry and catch myself saying, "yes Lord!" and then thinking, "what would they think of me? What if my faith isn't strong enough." This is the reason i have had arguments, out loud straight forward arguments, with the Lord. I have flat out said, "I do not feel strong enough to be in your flock, let alone lead part of it." It often feels better to me to refuse and then be shown the light than to ignore the light all along.

Matthew 21: 33-46
When the wealthy landowner left planted his vineyard he turned it over to the farmhands. He wasn't forced to leave, they didn't take over the vineyard, he turned it over to them. He trusted them and saw them fit to run his farm until he returned. What happened between the time he left to the time when he sent his servants back to collect his profits? Where was this turn from trust worthy to corrupt? The servants were sent in the masters place and they suffered for him. They didn't turn away from the task when he gave it to him because they were loyal to their master, so loyal in fact that they were beaten, stoned and killed for him. Not only were his servants beaten and killed, but they were beaten and killed by their masters tenants, those who were left in charge of his vineyard. Lastly, he sends his son to collect the profits owed to him. He took the risk of sending his own son because he believed that they would respect him and his authority. They kill him with no regrets. They dragged him through the vineyard and killed him. What will the owner do when he returns home? "He'll kill them—a rotten bunch, and good riddance," they answered. "Then he'll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it's time." esus said, "Right—and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles:
The stone the masons threw out
is now the cornerstone.
This is God's work;
we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it!
"This is the way it is with you. God's kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life. Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed." Jesus is this stone, this rock the Lord builds on. He is the son who is killed for our profits. Though he is thrown out by the masons he is the cornerstone. The religious leaders heard this parable and knew that they were the wicked farmers. They weren't told... they knew. Where are we sitting in the vineyard? Are we in the watchtower throwing stones or are we faithfully asking for the profits due to our master? Where do you want to be when the owner returns to the vineyard?