The context is hearing that the religious ones are not as faithful and are thus behind the tax collectors and prostitutes in the Kingdom of God. The "sinners" did not collude with Rome - Empire, as did the Temple Cult leaders of Jesus' time. They were victims of it. They did not have any power or control, but were exploited by those who did in both state and religious bodies.
Now, within that context Jesus tells of the vineyard. This is God's Kingdom, here and now. The work of the Holy Spirit is to produce fruit in this part of the Kingdom, changing hearts and minds to follow God's Will and live Kingdom Values, and thus transforming the world.
Those who were put in charge of the work of the Holy Spirit decided that it was their own vineyard and they had their own agenda. God sent messengers, servants to account for the work in the vineyard. They were not treated well, silenced in fact, even tortured and killed. Then God sent the Son, and we know the rest of the story.
Not much has changed, really.
Those who lead the church have commandeered the church at least for their own purposes. Like the time before the Reformation, it has been a Babylonian Captivity of the church. Sharing their own American Civil Religion complete with false teachings around church growth, prosperity theology and emphasis on personal salvation, they have manipulated the people by twisting the Gospel message. They have interjected their own political agendas. They have focused on things that would keep them in power, help them gain more wealth and enjoy greater prestige, position and status in the world.
Luther, through his 95 Theses for debate, and others tried to correct the direction of the vessel, but the corruption was so well-engrained that reform was impossible. Even as folk split from the corrupt body, still in time the same corruptions, as old as Jesus' temptations, crept in again along with other, newer and slicker forms of deception and duplicity in devotion to God. Now we stand in need of reform again, at least in the American church.
Jesus foretold His own death at the hands of people who, hearing the truth would kill to preserve their own corrupted teachings and beliefs. Jesus warned that the Kingdom of God would be taken away from those who have so dishonored God, and would be given to those who produce the fruits of the Kingdom - of His Gospel of Agape Love and Grace.
Just as a refresher for those of you who really want to know what the fruit of the Spirit is for folk who obey Jesus' command to live Agape Love - (from Galatians 5:22,23)
LOVE - that is Agape - active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable
JOY - living joyfully, without guile or malice, and not living fearfully or warily in the world around us, which produces Shalom - well-being, completeness and wholeness in the world around us
PEACE - the above mentioned shalom, which starts from within and puts well-being in the world because we live the "things that make for peace" - love, kindness, justice, equity with ALL around us
PATIENCE - working with those who are striving, even when they fail, and assuming the best rather than the worst in folk around us, giving people the benefit of the doubt and not judgment, in humility showing the kind of love for others that Jesus shows with us
KINDNESS - simply being kind to folk that we encounter, not because we feel like it, but because perhaps they NEED it, and especially with those who are struggling, those who exhibit signs of not receiving much kindness and those who seem not to know what kindness is
GENEROSITY - the opposite of greed - not looking only to our own interests, but to the interests of others (Phil. 2:1-11)... not withholding in abundance, but sharing with others who have less or next to nothing, and not just material things, but generous in advocacy, in sharing of time and abilities, and generous with our hearts- not because they deserve it, but because they NEED it... realizing that their well-being is tied to our own
FAITHFULNESS - following Jesus and His teachings, commands and examples in the Gospels of Agape Love and Grace, even in a self-sacrificing way for the sake of others who God loves
GENTLENESS - not being harsh with words or actions, but gentle with others in humility, knowing that this makes a better world and brings joy instead of despair and peace instead of conflict
SELF-CONTROL - not power over others, but over ourselves... considering our words and actions before executing them to maximize the above fruit of the spirit in the world around us... ignoring status that comes from influence over others and the prestige and position it may give, but considering the well-being of all around us and operating out of considered thought, rather than impulsive feelings or "self-ishness"
When we submit ourselves to Jesus' Good News of Agape Love and Grace as God's Will and strive to live what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us, then we will exhibit this fruit of the Spirit in the world around us. That is our mission as people of Jesus - to transform the world in Jesus' love.
When the church submits to this as the mission, as did the First Century believers (see Acts), then any pursuit of prestige and status, power and wealth will subside and the Holy Spirit will transform the world around us in Jesus' love.
When individuals submit to Jesus and follow Jesus, then their lives will be lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control and that is exactly what they will put out in the world around them, being transformed and being agents of transformation in the world.
Until then... we still must suffer the consequences of Empire (the antithesis of Kingdom of God) as the victims who are most exploited by its greed, lust for power and desire for prestige/position/status, and when Jesus comes again, those who have represented, participated in, benefitted from, promoted and promulgated Empire (and therefore not the Kingdom of God, for one cannot serve two masters) will have their own suffering to face. That is, if you believe Jesus.
Pastor Jamie
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