
Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:4b-14; Luke 20:9-20
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Many people will say that respect isn’t given, it’s earned. A fancy title, a big desk, and a nice office aren’t enough to demand respect from people if it isn’t also given. It’s true that respect is a two-way street. We won’t give people respect if we don’t feel that we’re getting it in return. Respect is more than the common decency we show everyone. Respect is a willingness to listen, to obey, or to follow.
This is why we often say it must be earned. We are very cautious to follow or to listen to someone if they haven’t already proven they’re worthy to listen to. Someone needs to display that they are a capable boss or leader before we will fully respect them. That kind of respect must be built up over time.
For in our Gospel lesson this week, Jesus tells us another parable. A man rents out his vineyard to tenants and then goes away for a long time. When the time comes for the harvest, he sends servants back to the vineyard to receive his share of the harvest. However, the tenants act wickedly by beating and tossing out the servants empty-handed. After three failed attempts, the owner of the vineyard says, “What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him,” Luke 20:13. To be fair, the servants deserved respect also. The son deserves respect too. But these tenants not only treat him shamefully but even go so far as to kill him.
All of this may seem extreme to us. No one believes now that they can gain an inheritance simply by killing the heir (Luke 20:14). But the premise behind it remains the same. Will we respect the Son or not? Will we listen to him willingly or do we also seek his death? So often, like those tenants, we too disrespect the Son by not listening to his word, by not following him, by treating him shamefully in our own lives. Our sins are the disrespect we show to Jesus by telling him that we want the inheritance without the heir. And rightly, those wicked tenants found only condemnation for their actions. “[The owner of the vineyard] will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others,” Luke 20:16.
Respect isn’t given, it’s earned, we say. But how much more shall the Son do for us before we respect him? For Jesus is that Son, the heir to the kingdom of God. He has come to us to teach us how to live a blessed life. He has comforted us in our distress, healed us of our diseases, and forgiven us of our sins. Jesus has given himself up for us, allowing himself to be treated shamefully by our hands, even going so far as to nail Jesus to the cross! It’s only by respecting the Son that we gain the inheritance. It’s only through listening, obeying, and believing in Jesus that we also gain the eternal kingdom! God has given the vineyard to us, that we may return to him the very fruits of faith!
Pastor Sorenson
Prayer:
Almighty God, by Your great goodness mercifully look upon Your people that we may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!