One of the most powerful stories Jesus ever told was in Luke 20 as He was wrangling with the scribes and chief priests in Jerusalem. The story was of a vineyard owner who leased his land to tenants. When he sent servants on three separate occasions to collect what was owed, the tenants beat each one of them and sent them away empty-handed. Finally, the owner decided to send his own son, thinking surely they would respect his son. Instead, the tenants saw this moment as their opportunity to rid themselves of the owner’s heir, and so they killed him.

As Jesus finished the story, He asked a penetrating question: “What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?” And then He answered His own question: “He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

The religious leaders knew exactly who the story was about. They were the tenants. God was the owner. And Jesus was the son standing right in front of them. Jesus then quotes Psalm 118, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

Beloved, you have to understand: rejection doesn’t cancel God’s purposes; it just removes you from them. God’s purposes will continue but with somebody else.

Now, this isn’t just a first-century warning. Every person must answer the same question the tenants faced: What will you do with the Son? Ignoring Him is a decision. Dismissing Him is a decision. Both carry tragic consequences. Is that what you will do?

Or will you receive the Son, embrace Him, and give Him His due? May you choose wisely.

Change begins in you!