week of 11-17-10 2nd recorded Bible study

The passage I read was Mark 12:1-9
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A1-9&version=NASB

My summary of the passage is this:
Jesus’ authority has just been questioned in the previous chapter. Here He tells a parable about a man which builds a vineyard and then rents it out and goes on a journey. While away he sends a servant to fetch some wine from the people he rented the vineyard to but they beat him badly. He sends another servant, so on and so on until no servants are left (either from being beaten or from being killed). Then he sends his beloved son saying, “surely they won’t kill him. They will recognize his authority as my son.” The men then killed the son too. The parable is wrapped up with the question and answer; “What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others.” (verse 9)

As I reflect:
This parable (also found in Luke 20) is broken down as such:
We are the 3 slaves that were sent and treated cruelly, for we are the master’s servants today and we are persecuted for doing His will (Christians doing the will of God are persecuted in the missions field and at home).
The vine growers are the wicked men and women of the world who have no respect for the Master’s authority (Jesus and the authority from God the Father). They didn’t want to share the vineyard; as people of the world today claim everything as theirs and give no recognition or glory to God for the creation they have been allowed to steward.
The Master who built the vineyard and sent servants and His son…. That’s God the Father
The Son..That’s Jesus. And a few verses after this portion of the parable is actually one of my favorite verses.
Mark 12:10 “Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone;”
Rather interesting if you look into what the purpose of a corner stone is/was at the time, but that’s another Bible study all together.
For this Bible study, I think some of the detail that can be applied to our daily/my daily life is that as Christians we can expect that we will receive persecution when doing the will of the Lord. Another way to put it, “If you want to know if you are a threat to Satan, think about how often and heavily his army attacks you.”
An enemy has no need to attack those that aren’t a threat to the enemy’s primary purpose. If you are under attack; if the vine farmers are trying to beat you down, then rejoice and take heart, for you are doing the will of the Master.

My response to the Lord:
My Father in Heaven, you have created for us the most beautiful creation and then you created us to enjoy the creation and glorify you. When we failed by falling into sin, you sent your only begotten Son to save us from our own wicked ways in this vine press. Lord, I pray you would help us to be fruitful and be good stewards of all that you have given. For those that seek to take and keep for themselves your creation, Lord protect us from their fiery darts and ways of evil, but not at the cost of doing your will. Lord, when you send us to these people please prepare their hearts for the message we bring, or prepare our hearts to be strengthened and brought closer to you through the persecution they will give. May we as Christians never cease to do your will though. In Jesus Name.