Jesus had just told a parable to religious leaders about a landowner who constructed a vineyard and let out the estate to tenant farmers (Matthew 21:33-39). At harvest time, the tenants refused to release the crop to the owner; instead, they beat or killed all his servants who came to collect it. Finally, he sent his son, but they killed him also. So, Jesus asked His religious opponents, who have often tried to trap Him but without success, what should the landowner do?

Their legal minds were clear. The tenants were in the wrong; they were evil men who did not deserve to have any mercy from the owner. They should be sent off to prison to be tortured (or worse), and the vineyard should be rented out to farmers who would respect him and his property.

But those religious leaders were the very people who had hijacked God's kingdom in order to secure power for themselves, and now wanted to kill the Owner’s Son (John 7:19; John 8:37-40). By asking the question, Jesus was forcing them to understand the logical conclusion of their rebellious attitude and behaviour. Even they admitted that the owner of the vineyard ought to remove the tenants; they had forfeited any right to be there. They had thrown away every opportunity to repent and so there was no other right and logical way forward. Judgement was inevitable.

Although the gospel is glorious and full of grace, with God longing to pour His abundant mercy on all who will repent, it also presents the terrifying reality of judgement for all who refuse to repent. The inescapable logic was clear even to the enemies of Jesus. But, in the same way that they were blind to salvation (2 Corinthians 4:4), they were also blind to judgement. Sin not only obscures heaven, it also obscures hell. That is why it is so dangerous to persist in sin and reject Jesus ... such people cannot see God's wrath building against their rebellion. That is also why it is so important to keep proclaiming the gospel of Christ, praying that the Lord will open the eyes of wicked people, before it is too late.