They Could not be Silenced

Matthew 21:33-41
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

³³ “Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. ³⁴ When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

 ³⁵ “The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ³⁶ Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. ³⁷ Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

³⁸ “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ ³⁹ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

⁴⁰ “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?”

⁴¹ “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,” they replied, “and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.”

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2021:33-41&version=NIV1984)

Have you ever thought of this world as one big vineyard?  My last blog was on a field and today it is on a vineyard.  God has made a world that is like His harvest field.  He has planted people in the world and He has put farmers in the field to take care of the crops.  He has blessed us tremendously by sending many into the field to work it and to harvest.  He has sent many into the world to proclaim His word yet many failed to listen and even tried to silence them.

2 Chronicles 24:21

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²¹ But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned^(A) him to death^(B) in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple.

Joshua 7:25

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²⁵ Joshua said, “Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today.”

Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%207:25&version=NIV1984)

Hebrews 11:33-38

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

³² And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,³³ who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies ³⁵ Women received back their dead, raised to life again.  Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. ³⁷ They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— ³⁸ the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011:33-38&version=NIV1984)

 

Matthew 27:21-26

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

²² “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

²³ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

²⁵ All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027:21-26&version=NIV1984)

There really isn’t much more that can be said that the scripture hasn’t already said.  What I have been reminded of in these scriptures is the following:

1.       I must realize that in this world of sin there may be times that I may suffer persecution.  If this does happen, I must remember that it is by faith that I will make it through any situation.  In our weakness His strength is revealed to us. 

2.      The prophets spoke the truth.  Am I speaking the truth?

3.      Even Jesus suffered and died and He did it for us.  He did not stay dead but rose again on the third day.  Hallelujah, Praise His Name!

4.       God has placed each of us in the field/vineyard to take care of His crops.  How do we respond to those who He sends, how do we respond to Him?

No matter what they faced, the prophets held true to the Word of God.  They had such faith that they were willing to sacrifice their own lives in order to proclaim it.  Have you done a faith check lately?  Where do you stand in proclaiming the truth to others?  As you seek Him may you find your strength in Him to do His work and do it faithfully.  As you are called to serve Him may you trust only in Him and by His strength be willing to accomplish His will.  Without the prophets, without Jesus, we would not know or have the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior.  The prophets could not be silenced, what about you? 

Seeking Him with all my heart,

Sheila