Reflections from October 2nd, 2011: “The One Rejected is the One We Welcome” (St. Matthew 21:33-43)

It’s easy to feel a little confused about what the Lord once said in respect to His parables: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand (St. Luke 8:10).” The Lord was of course speaking to His disciples, but why would He say this about “others” for whom He also lived, died, and rose? It is true of course that God loves all and “desires all people to come to the knowledge of the truth (1st Timothy 2:4).” And this is where it is important to step back and consider to whom Jesus is actually speaking the parables to in the latter chapters of St. Matthew’s Gospel. Take note that in the parable of the tenants (St. Matthew 21:33-46) “the chief priests and Pharisees…perceived that he was speaking about them (St. Matthew 21:45).” It just so happens that in this particular instance the chief priests and Pharisees are named, but the underlying characteristic of having parables your favorite dish served from God is because of the sinful state of rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ. The state of affairs is nevertheless challenging for even the most devout disciple of Christ. Isn’t it true that the sinful nature dwells in us all? Isn’t true that on account of this sinful nature that all of us fight against God? Yes, these things are absolutely true. By nature we are “good” chief priests and Pharisees every one of us. Quite frankly the grace of God cramps the sinful mind. If we are won over to God’s side, we will lose our side and our pride will complain every step of the way. If therefore we are not drawn (St. John 6:44) there is no crossing over from death (in all of its rebellious glory) to life (St. John 5:24). But those who are in Christ have crossed over. This is not our doing, it is His. And at the same time, every one “born again of water and the Spirit,” is no better than the one who is not. If nothing else this should so humble anyone who confesses Christ as Lord to such an unimaginable degree that our greatest preoccupation ought to be sharing the wealth, sharing the news, giving unto other sinners that saving Gospel that pulled us out of the pit of hell. We were worthy for God’s Word to remain the deepest, darkest mystery on account of our sin, but in Christ the light has shined on us and God has unraveled His parables for us and now we see: the saving work of Christ has kept us in God’s vineyard, kept our landowner the Lord, kept the wall and fortress of His Word around us, kept the winepress feeding our souls with the blood of immortality and the antidote against death (St. Ignatius), and kept the tower of His holy ministry watching over our souls. Thank God that the One rejected has in love and mercy not rejected us who are baptized into His Name most holy! In Christ, Dr. Espinosa

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