Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. Matthew 21:43
When we read the Gospels, it is easy to criticize the religious leaders.
They challenged and opposed Jesus at every opportunity.
Willingly blind to the truth that stood before them.
Israel was given a solemn stewardship.
They were to point people to the coming Messiah and the Kingdom of God.
Isaiah 11 describes the Messiah and His kingdom:
For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9
In Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus told a parable about that stewardship.
Israel was depicted as tenant farmers who beat and killed the messengers the vineyard owner sent until they finally killed the owner’s son.
At the end, Jesus pronounces this judgment.
Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. Matthew 21:43
If the stewardship of the kingdom has been taken from Israel and given to the church …
Then the question we have to ask …
How have we done with it?
How have I done?