As Jesus shifts his ministry to Jerusalem he cleanses the temple and confronts the Jewish leaders. This parable, a 'history of Israel in a compendium,' reveals that the Jewish leaders have not embodied their vocation as the 'keepers of the vineyard' which is Israel. The owner (God) has sent prophets whom they have rejected, and now sends his Son, whom they will kill. The parable says that those who reject Jesus also reject his Father, the God of the Universe; they 'stumble' over Jesus, and will be judged and destroyed by the Father for rejecting his son. But God accepts those who accept Jesus. The message is stark:�acknowledge and have faith in Jesus, or reject him and be rejected by God.

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