The Rejected Heir
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
“This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.” (Luke 20:14)
As we enter the final two months of the Coptic year, Mesore and El-Nasi (The Little Month), the Church begins to draw our hearts and minds toward the Second Coming and the Day of Judgment. The Gospel readings during those five weeks take on a tone of watchfulness and accountability, reminding us that “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7).
On today Sunday’s Gospel, the First Sunday of the Holy month of Mesore, the Church reads the Parable of the Vinedresser from Luke 20:9-19. In the parable, a man planted a vineyard and leased it to vinedressers. When the time of fruit drew near, he sent three servants, one after another, to collect what was due. But each was beaten and cast out. Finally, he sent his beloved son, saying, “Perhaps they will respect him.” Instead, the tenants said, “This is the heir. Let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours” (v.14). And so, they killed him.
Afterwards, Jesus asked “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these tenants and give the vineyard to others” (vv. 15-16).
The owner of the vineyard is clearly the Father, the vineyard is the earth entrusted to us, the servants are the prophets, and the beloved Son is our Lord Jesus Christ, “the heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2). The vinedressers are the religious leaders, the scribes, Pharisees, and chief priests who sought to possess what was not theirs. Hence, killing the Son foretells how they pushed for Jesus’ crucifixion.
However, this Parable can also be symbolic of the end of time. The owner sent people to the vineyard so he could see the fruit of the vinedressers’ labor. In His commentary on Luke, St. Cyril of Alexandria says “The farm was given to other farmers. Who are they? I answer the company of the holy apostles, the preachers of the evangelical commandments, the ministers of the new covenant” (Sermon CXXIV).
As Christians, we are the ministers of the new covenant. Putting ourselves in the position of the vinedressers, this Gospel shows how at the end of time the Lord will ask us about the fruit of our labor and what we did with the gifts and talents He has entrusted us with.
Therefore, let us remain diligent until the end and continue to use our gifts for the glory of God.
Sources:
- Who Can Bind the Plunderer? Bishop Youssef, Diocese of the Southern United States
- English Standard Version Bible
- Catena Bible on Luke
- Early Church Fathers, Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke
- Catena Bible on Luke