It is easy to confuse God’s patience with permission. We see that truth in a very pointed parable that Jesus told. After He had upset the Temple market and the chief priests challenged His authority, Jesus told us about a particular vineyard.
“He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went away. At harvest time he sent a servant to the farmers to collect some of the fruit of the vineyard from them. But they took him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent another servant to them, and they hit him on the head and treated him shamefully. Then he sent another, and they killed that one. He also sent many others; some they beat, and others they killed. He still had one to send, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those tenant farmers said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill the farmers and give the vineyard to others. Haven’t you read this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came about from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes?” They were looking for a way to arrest him but feared the crowd because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. So they left him and went away.” (Mark 12:1–12, CSB)
It was apparent then and remains so now that Jesus was referring to some of the Jewish leaders throughout their history. And the parable is also prophetic concerning what is just around the corner for Jesus. To say that the chief priests were angry is an understatement.
But this wasn’t just a parable for them; it is for us as well. There are two points to highlight. The first is a warning that God’s patience is not permission. How many times did the owner of the vineyard warn the rebellious farmers? Looking closely at the parable doesn’t give us a finite number. How many times are we convicted of sin before we truly repent or become so calloused that God justly judges us?
The second highlight is Jesus’ declaration that the rejected stone has become the cornerstone. The cornerstone determines the plumb, square, and placement of a building. Are its lines straight? Is it true to its purpose? Does it stand tall or lean?
This isn’t the only time that Jesus refers to building on a stone or rock. There is the parable of the wise and foolish builder. One built on a stone, the other on sand. When the storms came it is obvious which building stood. Matthew records the following during the same confrontation as above. “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruit. Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will shatter him.”(Matthew 21:43–44, CSB)
Those who fall on the cornerstone, who submit to it, will be broken. But those on whom the cornerstone falls will be shattered. To be broken before the Lord is good. To rebel to the point of shattering is bad. It is our choice. The Lord gives us time, grace, and mercy to figure that out. Don’t confuse God’s patience with permission.
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