Matthew 21 Jesus went into Jerusalem on a donkey's colt.. and fulfilled prophecy. The people shouted "hosanna" to Him.. fulfilling prophecy.  He cleansed the temple from those "making it a robber's den".. quoting scripture " My house shall be called a House of prayer."  He answered the chief priests when they became upset that the children were praising Him...with scripture.. "Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast prepared praise for Thyself..."

Every Word that was prophesied about the coming Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Every word He spoke was aligned with known Scripture.  Yet.. they stilled challenged Jesus about His authority.  The Jewish leaders were like the fig tree.. covered with leaves.. but without any fruit.  And like the tree, they would become withered and barren. 

v43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruit of it." Jesus told them.  The two parables were given as warnings and lessons.. The parable of the two sons.. one who said yes.. but did not obey;  one who said no but repented and obeyed. Only those who would come to Jesus and believe would enter God's kingdom.. even "tax-gatherers and harlots.. "... but not those who refused to "do the work of the Father".   

The parable of the landowner is so clearly the story of Jesus. The landowner sent His servants to receive the fruit of his harvest.. but the hired vine-growers beat them and killed some of them.  He then sent His own Son.. and they killed Him too. The priests and Pharisees recognized the wretchedness of the vine-growers.. but they did not recognize their own wretchedness... for they were about to kill the Son. 

Where do we see ourselves in this passage of the Word?  Are we the children singing "Hosanna" to the King?  Are we the priests complaining because they were praising Jesus?  Are we like the fig tree.. all show and no fruit?  Or are we like the son who repented and went out to do the Father's will? Have we rejected the Cornerstone? Or have we embraced Him.. believed Him.. and submit to His authority?

Father in heaven, may we come to You with whole hearts and willing minds.. trusting You with our whole beings.. loving You with all that we are.  Thank You Jesus, for coming for us.. for dying for us..for giving us eternal life.. for we do believe.. May our faith grow as we walk with You this day. Amen.