This is a remarkable allegory. Any allegory can be understood at many levels, and that's the beauty of them. The Savior's parables and other scripture stories all have many levels of meaning, and as we gain in spiritual maturity, the depth of our understanding and learning increases.
There are many things to think about in this long allegory of the tame and wild olive trees. But I want to share just one thing:
41 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard?
I picture the Savior weeping over those who are lost. He does all in His power to reach out to them in love and compassion, but our world is like the vineyard in the story.
42 Behold, I knew that all the fruit of the vineyard, save it were these, had become corrupted. And now these which have once brought forth good fruit have also become corrupted; and now all the trees of my vineyard are good for nothing save it be to be hewn down and cast into the fire.
As I am nurtured through my experience and the good word of God, and as I am pruned through the adversity I overcome, I hope that I can become a fruitful branch that draws on the true vine for strength.
A long section of this allegory describes the Lord of the vineyard working through his servants to call other servants to work for the last time. The indication is that "they were few." (v. 70) Those few worked hard knowing that the time would soon come when the good would be gathered out and the rest of the vineyard would be burned.
72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.
Characteristics of these disciples are work, diligence, obedience, and unity. And in the strength of the Lord of the Harvest, they brought the harvest home. All is safely gathered in. I love that line from the hymn. When the millenial day arrives, maybe we will be with the faithful laborers to whom the Lord will say,
75 ....Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.
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- Jeff and Janet Kirk
- Lovebirds in an 'empty' nest, flying to new adventures in faith, family and future.
Words of the Wise
We live in a time of turmoil. Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising. We have great cause for concern. But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith.
- Elder Russell M. Nelson
- Elder Russell M. Nelson
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3 comments:
I think when the Lord says the wicked shall be burned, the idea is that those that have not prepared themselves to recieve the light of the Savior's glory, will not be able to withstand it at His coming. Its not a punishment thrust upon them by God as much as a natural consequence of their own choices to not take in the light available to them through obedience to the principles of the Gospel. When we wake up in the morning to too much abrupt light, our eyes sting. On a grander scale, when we spend our spiritual lives in darkness, the sudden glorious light that will fill the earth at His coming will consume those who have not partaken of that light while in mortality.
That was mom, by the way.
you and mom are so wise. you pruned me well while i was young =)
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