From Pulpit Fiction for Oct. 5 , a show where two ministers debate the scriptures. Too often we see the lectionary as a closed book. This account broadens to show the theme of authority over 3 Sunday
“For three Sundays the Gospel lessons direct us to consecutive parables in Matthew’s narrative that seem pointedly aimed at the Jewish rejection of the Messiah and the movement of the Christian message to a non-Jewish world. And yet, with all three parables, a careful reading of the texts reveals a broader concern and a wider audience than merely the case for a Gentile mission.”
"This passage is a part of the temple controversies that started on Palm Sunday after Jesus enters the temple, turns over tables, and heals the blind and the lame.
" The question was asked “By whose authority do you do these things?” This started on Sunday Sept 28
" This passage on Oct. 5 is the second part of his answer.
" The parable of the king and the wedding party (Matthew 22:1-14) is the third parable he tells – all in response to “Whose authority?” (Oct 12)
" An easy Reading of the parable = the Jewish leaders were the evil tenants, and the fruit of the harvest must be taken from them, and given to ‘other tenants.’ Namely, the Church
" In this reading, we can comfortably and easily put ourselves in the role of ‘other tenants,’ enjoying the fruit of the harvest.
" Even in traditional reading, the judgment is not proclaimed by Jesus. The owner of the vineyard never renders this harsh punishment. It is only assumed by the chief priests and elders that this is the only suitable punishment.
" If they are to be understood as those that are under this harsh judgment, it is a judgment rendered by themselves, not by God directly. While Jesus leads them to this conclusion, he does not – at least not explicitly – go there with them.
" Another, more challenging way to read the parable sees it through the lens of the Psalm that is quoted
" Jesus quotes Psalm 118:22-23, the stone that the builders rejected is now the cornerstone.
" Faced with the destruction of the Temple, Matthean community was looking for blame. Blame could be heaped on the religious leaders or on those that caused the rebellion.
" Jesus offers a different way of interpreting these events. The vineyard itself is no longer important. Jesus is the beginning of something new entirely. Blame for destruction of Temple is pointless. The New Kingdom is what Jesus is calling for.
" In this reading, the vineyard is not Israel, but the Kingdom of God, which is now opened up to other tenants.
" Here though, the Kingdom reflects not just a salvific relationship, but a relationship between the tenants and the owner that requires something. The Kingdom, like a vineyard, is expected to bear fruit (see cursing of the Fig Tree)
Concluding Thoughts
" Two ways to elude the all-too-easy Anti-Jewish tone of this passage (from Douglas Hare in Interpretation: Matthew p. 250)
" 1. Understand that this is criticism of Jewish leadership leveled from a fellow Jew. This cannot be used to justify violence toward current Jewish people. Even if we feel that “Matthew himself abandoned all hope of Israel’s repentance, we must hold this pessimism in check by referring to Paul’s optimism in Romans 11:25-36.
" 2. Focus not explicitly on the failure of the Jewish leaders, but upon the responsibility of the newly anointed “others.” If we are now the tenants of the vineyard, we have no less responsibility to bear fruit, and the judgment we are quick to level on others can just as easily be directed at us.
“There is no reason for Matthew’s initial (or modern) readers to gloat over the plight of the original tenants or to take unwarranted pleasure in their own membership in the ‘right’ community. They cannot count on an automatic transfer, as if now they have been guaranteed tenantship. The question is: Are they (we) a people producing ‘the fruits of the kingdom’?.” (Cousar, p. 514. Parenthetical comments by author, emphasis added). In other words, When you point the finger at someone else, there are three other fingers pointing back."