Take courage

​March 22, 2020
Today’s devotion is based on Matthew 21:37-39 “(Jesus said) “Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.”
This story bothers me. “Why are you bothering?” I want to ask of the vineyard owner. “It’s just a vineyard. Human lives are worth more than a vineyard. Your son is worth more than a vineyard. Just give it up.”

If this were just any ordinary vineyard, perhaps the owner would give it up. But it’s not. This is God’s vineyard, which He dug out, planted, fenced, and built a winepress for making the wine. This is Jesus’ inheritance as the Son of God. In short, this is God’s world, and we are the vines in it. He isn’t going to give us up.
Take courage, because God has not forgotten you. He has already sent His Son to rescue you. And He will finish the job—soon now, very soon!—when Jesus comes again to take up His rule over all the universe. We are waiting for that day.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Lord, look on us when we suffer under the things that happen to us in our life.  You are our rescuer, and for that we give you all praise and glory.  In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.