What Jesus Did! 'I'll Send My Son' — Matthew 21:37-39

Thursday, October 9, 2025

[Talking to the religious leaders, Jesus continued his story about the vineyard owner's efforts to collect from the tenant farmers:] "Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, 'Surely they will respect my son.'

"But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, 'Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let's kill him and get the estate for ourselves!' So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him."

— Matthew 21:37-39 NLT

Key Thought

God had repeatedly sent his servants, the prophets, but they were abused and ignored. So God carried out his ultimate plan at just the right time. He sent his Son. The Royal Prince of Glory, the Creator and Sustainer of life, became human flesh. He was born and placed in a manger.

But the issue is not the Son and how he came to earth. The issue is with the wicked hearts of the Jewish leaders who wanted religion their way, on their terms, with their outcomes. So rather than recognizing Jesus as Lord, they rejected him and humiliated and killed him in shame. Yes, that's what they did, and in our own way, that's what we do with the Royal Prince of Glory if we reject him and his way of life.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I would like to think that I would not have rejected Jesus when he came. I want to believe that I would have recognized him as your Son, the Messiah and the Royal Prince of Glory. But I know my own weakness and selfishness. I know my reluctance to do what is right when no one else does. So today, Father, I ask you to forgive me for those failures and empower me to stand and live for the Royal Prince of Glory, Jesus of Nazareth, today and the rest of my life. Thank you for loving me so much to send such a gift, such a Son, such a Savior. In Jesus' glorious name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 3:16-17
  • Matthew 26:63-68
  • 1 John 3:16-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 21:37-39 NLT — "Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, 'Surely they will respect my son.' "

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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