all eyes on Jesus | marvellous in our eyes

Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed. “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” Mark 12:1-11, NIV

Jesus recounts the story of a vineyard owner who entrusts his vineyard to tenants but is met with rejection and violence when he sends servants to collect the harvest. Despite the tenants’ continued hostility the owner displays remarkable forbearance - even sending his beloved son whom the tenants kill.

The unfolding drama speaks of the layers of divine grace, depth of God's relentless love, and lengths he will go to in his determination to bring humanity back to himself despite our rebellion. We are faced with his enduring persistence as he pursues a relationship with his creation. We know the sending of the owner's son mirrors his sending Jesus into the world knowing he would be sacrificed. We recognise how the Father provides opportunity after opportunity for repentance and reconciliation.

"Marvellous in our eyes" becomes a call to humility, repentance, and awe. It invites us to marvel at the astonishing reality of God's redemptive plan, acknowledge our need for his mercy and respond with gratitude and obedience.

Let’s pray
Thank you, lord, for the reminder today that you made a way for me to be saved. Thank you that my selfishness and sin didn’t stop you loving and searching for me. Thank you that you continue to offer me hope, forgiveness when I need it, unconditional love, and an ongoing invitation to participate in your plans and purposes. I am grateful, Lord. Amen.