“So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?”
Luke 20:15 NKJV
When Jesus asks this question, the answer appears obvious. Yet His purpose is not merely to relay facts—He invites His hearers into deep contemplation. This rhetorical question mirrors the way God has spoken throughout Scripture, exposing not only the truth of the matter but revealing the identity and authority of the One who speaks.
To understand the weight of the question in verse 15, we must recall the earlier question in verse 3. There, Jesus expected a reply from the Pharisees and religious leaders. In contrast, the question in verse 15 is not a request for a response; it is meant to pierce the heart, to compel reflection, and to confront resistance. Just as God questioned Job from His position of sovereignty (Job 38), Jesus speaks with the same divine authority. This not only emphasizes the seriousness of the message but testifies to His identity as God the Son.
Scripture often employs rhetorical questions to bring conviction, uncover the truth, and lead the hearers into understanding. The question, “What will the owner of the vineyard do to them?” carries the same tone and gravity as Psalm 2:1:
“Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?”
Psalm 2:1 NKJV
The religious leaders, well-versed in the Law and the Prophets, likely recognized this connection. Jesus’ words served as a direct warning to the vinedressers in the parable, exposing their rebellion and foreshadowing judgment. More importantly, the way He framed His inquiry reflected the voice, reasoning, and authority of God Himself. Those who were familiar with the Scriptures should have recognized this divine pattern.
Jesus affirms this reality in John 12:48–49, declaring that His words carry the weight of divine judgment. He speaks only what the Father has given Him to speak. This confirms His identity and establishes His authority beyond question.
“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”
John 12:48–49 NKJV
Legacy Stewardship: Anchored in Divine Authority
Legacy stewardship begins with recognizing the authority and identity of Christ. Just as Jesus’ words in the parable carry divine weight, so too must our stewardship reflect a response to His voice. Legacy is not merely what we leave behind materially—it is how we respond to God’s truth today.
• Rhetorical Reflection: Like the question posed by Jesus, stewardship requires contemplation. What are we doing with what has been entrusted to us by the Owner?
• Alignment with Divine Authority: Since Jesus speaks only what the Father has commanded, our planning and actions should likewise be aligned with His word.
• Responsibility and Accountability: The parable warns of consequences for rejecting the Son. Legacy stewardship recognizes that what we build, plan, and transfer must honor the One who gave it.
The question Jesus asks is not meant to merely predict an outcome; it is meant to confront the listener with responsibility. So too must we approach stewardship—with awareness that what we do with what has been entrusted carries eternal weight.
Holding Fast with Certainty
Because Jesus is who He says He is, we can find comfort and certainty in His words. Legacy stewardship, therefore, is rooted in confidence—not in our own capabilities, but in the reliability of the One speaking. As we plan, manage, and invest in what God has given us, we do so shaped by the truth that Christ speaks with the authority of the Father.
By this we know: He is who He says He is. Let us hold fast to His words and steward with sober reflection, faithful alignment, and unwavering trust. Amen.
By Christopher L. Walker at myfathersestate.com
