“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
[11] this was the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
[12] And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.
(Mark 12:1-12 ESV)
BUT is that the point of this passage? Why would the scribes and pharisees by wanting to arrest Jesus over a parable where tenants kill easily and then are destroyed themselves?
So there must be a deeper meaning.
Could this parable to talking about the relationship of God with the church? How he brought his message to the people but they rejected it by killing off the messengers he sent? And then God's judgement on the people?
Scripture tells us that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Isaiah 5:7 speaks to how Israel is Vineyard of the Lord.
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts
is the house of Israel,
and the men of Judah
are his pleasant planting;
and he looked for justice,
but behold, bloodshed;
for righteousness,
but behold, an outcry!
So it makes sense that Jesus is talking here about God's relationship with his people Israel and how it has been a contentious relationship. Prophets killed or ignored, a people fighting against their rightful ruler, a people demanding their own way.
The leadership of the Jewish nation would have understood this and been challenged by it, and then for Jesus to say that he is God's son, would have been enough to drive them over the edge. Fear stopped them from acting out against him.
Jesus showed them the truth of this scripture and they didn't like it.
[19] Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
[20] This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
[21] I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
[22] The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
[23] This is the LORD's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
[24] This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalm 118:19-24 ESV)
Jesus, the stone rejected, the stone that will be destroyed, he will become, he IS the cornerstone of the church built up that fears the name of The Lord God. Jesus, God's beloved son, the one the tenants killed, he is our cornerstone.
God will destroy those who fight against him, those who want to claim what is his by right.
Take heart! (at least this is what I come away with...the knowledge that I can take heart. God takes action despite his on-going patience. He sent his son and his son is our cornerstone, he is the cornerstone of my faith in God.