We continue from yesterday's meditation on the Parable of the Vine-Growers (Luke 20:9-19). After discussing the refusal to give the Owner His portion of the vineyard's fruit, Jesus said to them: “The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do?’ (v.13). I believe Jesus allowed the people to pause and think about the question for a few seconds before He said, “I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.” When the Lord mentioned that the vineyard's owner was sending His son, many in the crowd probably suspected that this was not a good idea. But Jesus continued with a shocking statement: 14“But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’ 15“So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him” (Luke 20:14-15).
Those listening were not considering the implications of what Jesus was saying. They were emotionally invested in the story until, suddenly, Christ posed another question: "What, then, will the owner of the vineyard do to them?" (v. 15). There were gasps in the crowd, "What should he do?" It was clear to everyone. The reasoning was solid. He should destroy them! At that moment, Jesus paused again, allowing the people to share their opinions before finally speaking. “He will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!” (Luke 20:16).
In verse 16, the Greek word translated as "heard" means to perceive with all the implications of what Christ was saying. They understood. It clicked. The full impact of the prophetic parable sank into their minds. That is why they responded, "May it never be!" The Jewish leaders and nation would lose the authority they had abused. Jesus foresaw the judgment to come in 70 A.D. and the suffering that would befall the nation. This judgment would not stop the forward movement of the kingdom of God, as Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The Kingdom of God's ministry was soon to be released to all nations through the body of Christ, the Church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles.
Jesus carried on by saying, “What then is this that is written: ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE’?” (v. 17). Their horror at Jesus’ words of judgment prompted Christ to respond by recalling the prophetic verse in Psalm 118:22: “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” Many translations of the English Old Testament render the Hebrew word Rosh Pinna as Cornerstone. According to my Logos software, the Hebrew word means: “head; hair; a person, individual; height, peak, upper end; beginning; topmost, outermost, best; leader, chief; value, total amount, sum.” When Jesus came the first time, He didn’t fit the blueprint the builders thought they needed, so they rejected Him as not a good fit and tossed Him aside. They didn’t recognize their own Messiah. Later, they will recognize Him for who He is and give Him the rightful place as the capstone.
The capstone completes the building at the highest point and brings the walls together. In an arch or a temple, the capstone bears the weight of the two sides, completing the span. It is logical that, just as the sides of an arch lean on the capstone, the spiritual building that God is constructing relies entirely on the capstone, Christ Himself. Does the architecture of your life lean on Christ? Have you built your life on the Rock of Christ by leaning on Him, or does your life rest on your own opinions? (Matthew 7:24). The leaders may have rejected the Stone, but to us who believe, He is precious! Not only is He the Cornerstone of the spiritual building being constructed, but He is also the One holding the structure together. He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 22:13). Jesus is the beginning and the end! He is both the Cornerstone and the Capstone!
Taken from the 66 free study series in the Book of Luke. Click study 53—The Parable of the Vine-Growers.