MY WELL-BELOVED HATH A VINEYARD IN A VERY FRUITFUL HILL
Scripture Reading: Mark 12:1-9 "And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.'
8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
ISAIAH 5:1-2
1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Mark’s Gospel begins with a certain man. The term "certain" is added by the translators in this instance. It is also often used as a hidden term concerning Christ Jesus our Lord. The prophet Isaiah sheds light on this Certain One and refers to Him as "My Well-Beloved." The same glorious term, "Well Beloved" shows up in Mark as well referring to the Son of God. The Son is the heir; therefore, the vineyard is His.
This certain man took great care is establishing, maintaining and protecting His vineyard before leaving on a journey. His five distinct acts regarding His vineyard demonstrate His great grace toward His people. He planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen. The purpose of this study is to examine each loving act toward God’s vineyard which speaks to His people.
Continued