The Family: God’s Vinyard

Beloved in Christ,

We might see other things more precious to us than our families. Yet, how often do we see them through the eyes of God—as a vineyard entrusted to our care, planted by His hands, watered by His grace, and destined to bear fruit for His Kingdom?

In Matthew 21:33–46, Jesus shares a powerful parable about a landowner who lovingly planted a vineyard and entrusted it to tenants. These tenants failed in their responsibility. They rejected the servants sent by the owner—and finally, they killed his son.

This parable reveals much about Israel’s rejection of God’s Word and, ultimately, His Son. But it also speaks deeply to us about relationships, especially the family, as the first field in which God expects His Word to bear fruit.

Let us reflect today on this truth:  The rejection of the Word and the Son in our homes is a rejection of the Father Himself. But if we receive His Word and honor His Son, our families will flourish as fruitful vineyards in the Kingdom of God.

God Is the One who Established the Family 

Jesus begins, “There was a landowner who planted a vineyard...” (Matthew 21:33).

God is the landowner—the initiator. He planted the vineyard with care: a hedge, a wine press, a tower. He prepared everything.

Likewise, God is the One who established the family, beginning with Adam and Eve and ordained marriage and parenthood as part of His good creation.

But relationships without His Word are like a vineyard without soil. The Word of God is the soil that nourishes every relationship—husband and wife, parent and child, brother and sister.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 tells us: “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and speak of them...”

When the Word of God is not taught in the home, relationships lose their anchor. Confusion reigns. But when His Word is the foundation, the family becomes a place of peace, purpose, and fruitfulness.

The Family Is the Vineyard Entrusted to Us 

The landowner rented the vineyard to tenants to care for it and bring forth fruit. These tenants represent us. And the vineyard—yes, the Church at large—but also, very personally, our families. (Matthew 21: 33–36).

We are tenants. We don’t own our families. We don’t possess our spouse or children. They are entrusted to us by God, for a time, to be nurtured, taught, and loved in His name.

 

The landowner sent servants—the prophets—to remind the tenants of their responsibility. So, too, God sends His Word repeatedly to our families—through Scripture, through the Church, and the Holy Spirit whispering to our hearts.

Do we receive that Word? Do we humble ourselves as parents and spouses to apply it daily? Or do we, like the tenants, dismiss the reminders and get lost in our own selfish patterns?

Let us remember: Our home is not our kingdom—it is God’s vineyard.

To Reject the Word and the Son Is to Reject the Father 

Finally, the landowner sends his beloved son, saying, “They will respect my son.” 

But the tenants say, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.” And they cast him out and kill him. (Matthew 21:37-39).

This is not just a rejection of a messenger. This is a rejection of the Father Himself. To reject the Son is to reject the One who sent Him.

In our families, if we ignore the teachings of Jesus, if we push Him to the margins of our home life, we are not merely neglecting a Sunday ritual—we are rejecting the Lord of the vineyard.

 John 5:23 says: “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

Christ must be honored in our homes—in the way we speak to one another, serve one another, forgive one another, and love one another.

The Fruit of the Kingdom Begins in the Family 

Jesus asks, “When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” The answer is sobering: He will bring those wretches to a miserable end and give the vineyard to others who will bear fruit (Matthew 21:40-43).

God desires fruit—not just in the Church, but in our homes. The fruits of love, patience, self-control, kindness, faithfulness—the fruits of the Spirit—must first grow in our homes.

The family is the first place where we learn to follow Jesus. It is the training ground for faith and the heart of the Kingdom of God.

Joshua said it beautifully: “As for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh” (Joshua 24:15)>

Can you say that today with confidence? Are you leading your family into the Kingdom or away from it?

Christ Must Be the Cornerstone of the Family 

Jesus quotes the psalm: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone”(Matthew 21:42-44).

Christ is the cornerstone. He must be the foundation of your family—your conversations, your decisions, your priorities.

When Christ is the cornerstone, the home becomes a house of peace. When He is rejected, even in subtle ways, the house falls into disrepair.

Psalm 127:1 reminds us:“Unless Yahweh builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

Falling on the Rock in Family Relationships 

“He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” (Matthew 21:44).

In the context of family, this verse offers a powerful image:  To fall on the Rock—Jesus Christ—is to surrender humbly. It means allowing Him to break our pride, selfishness, and unforgiveness before those things destroy the relationships He entrusted to us.

1. Falling on the Rock means choosing to surrender before Christ—willingly:

- Apologizing to a spouse even when it’s hard. 

- Asking for forgiveness from children when we’ve been harsh. 

- Letting go of bitterness and choosing reconciliation.

2. Better to fall and be broken than to resist and be crushed:

Jesus, the Cornerstone, is unshakable. If we resist Him—His Word and His presence in our homes—our families may appear stable but will eventually crumble spiritually.

Let the Spirit of God break what must be broken—so that healing, holiness, and the fruit of the Kingdom may grow in your home.

Fall on the Rock in repentance, and let your home be built anew on Christ the Cornerstone.

Conclusion: Be Faithful Tenants of God’s Vineyard

 Dear brothers and sisters,

The family is a vineyard. God planted it. He entrusted it to us. He expects fruit. He sends His Word and His Son.

The question is: Will we receive Him—or reject Him?

 Let us say today with renewed commitment:  “Lord, my family belongs to You. Make it a vineyard of righteousness. Let it bear the fruit of Your Kingdom. Let Christ be the cornerstone of our home.”

Amen.

Fr. Abraam Sleman

frsleman@CopticChurch.net

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