Read
“Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.”
Matthew 21:43
Reflect
Today’s passage is one of the more tragic parables that Jesus taught because it directly foretells his own death. In the story, the master’s servants are continually mistreated by the tenants, until one day he sends his son to get the business moving. Stupidly, they think that if they kill the son, they’ll get his inheritance for themselves, and so they murder him. And as a result, the master destroys the tenants and finds someone else who will care for his vineyard.
While this scripture primarily pertains to God spreading the Gospel beyond the Jews to the Gentiles, it also has a very real application in our everyday lives. The Lord has given each of us some gifts in our lives. Your calling in life is a gift. Whatever talents you have are gifts from Him. And the way He has called you to further His kingdom is a gift as well.
Each of us is responsible for using these gifts, and for caring for and nurturing them, and ultimately using them. If you don’t use your gifts, and if you don’t respond to His call for your life, God’s will still accomplish His will – through someone else. None of us will ultimately be an obstacle to what the Lord wants to do. He will simply find someone else to do what He called us to.
Today, if you’re not sure about what the Lord has called you to do – in any area of your life – ask Him to reveal His plans for you. Ask Him to give you the desire and the courage to step out each day and use all of your gifts to His greater glory.
Reflection copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
