Almost since time began, people have been rejecting the ways of God.

They have listened to lies of the evil one and gone their own way.

They killed the prophets God sent to warn them of trouble and judgment.

Shortly before His death, Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard owner who sent his servants to bring back fruit from the vinedressers to whom he had leased his vineyard.

They beat the servants and sent them back empty handed. Finally, he sends his son, whom he believes they will respect, but they kill him. (Luke 20:9-15)

Those listening understood exactly what Jesus was saying.

He was indicting them for their rebellious rejection of the prophets and now they rejected Him- the Son of God.

Jesus goes on to say, “Therefore, what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.” (Luke 20:16)

The people responded “Certainly not!”(Luke 20:16)

But Jesus looks at them (can you imagine the Holy One looking you square in the eye?) and He quotes from Psalm 118 about the coming of the Messiah:

“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22, Luke 20:17)

But then, Jesus speaks hard words of hope for all who would hear, for all who WILL hear-

“ Whoever falls on that stone will be broken, but on whomever it falls it will grind him to powder.” (Luke 20:18)

Those who fall on Jesus in brokenness from their pride and their self-will, those who forsake their way and surrender to His way, those who deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him will be saved. Saved!

But those who refuse, who reject the ways of the Lord, who continually ignore the warnings of those God sends to them and rebelliously think they know better, will be crushed. Crushed.

God is patient, but He is also just.

The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Prov 14:12)

God’s way is the only way. The only right way.

The world will tell you to follow your heart.

God told us through His prophet Jeremiah, that our hearts are “deceitful above all things”. (Jer 17:9)

They have been since the beginning of time.

We foolishly continue to go our own way. Just look at our crazy world right now!

But God tells us- Jesus is the way. The only way! (John 14:6)

The lost of this world continue to refuse to follow Him. They continually reject the Spirit of Truth.

As another of God’s prophets warned-the lost call wrong “right” and right “wrong”. (Isaiah 5:20)

But those who truly know and love The Son of God, keep His commandments-

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:15-17)

These are hard days.
They may get harder.
The world will continue to reject and hate the ways of God.

But Jesus is in us and will work through us. Oh friend, hold on. Stay strong!

Not all who are lost today will stay lost. Some will turn to Him. Be the light!

And remember the words of our Lord, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you “ (Matt 5:10-11)

Those who stand on the Rock, the cornerstone, are blessed!

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