Read Matthew 21:33-46 “The parable of the Wicked Tenants”
Last time, we talked about the parable of two sons. This was the first of the three parables Jesus told in response to the questions from the chief priests and the elders of the people about His authority while He was teaching and healing people in the temple in Jerusalem. And today, we will talk about the second parable, “The parable of the Wicked Tenants.”
Jesus was telling the people in the parable about something that was familiar to the people of that time. Wealthy landowners could buy land, plant vineyards, and then rent the vineyards to tenants. The tenants would work the land and care for the crops while the owner was away. I suspect that there may be some farmers here in Iowa who do something similar by renting or leasing their land to others.
So, the tenants were not the owners of the vineyard. They were simply given the responsibility to take care of it, work the land, and producing good fruit. And Jesus made it clear that the landowner planted a vineyard, and built a fence around it to protect it. He also built “a winepress, where the grapes would be crushed to make wine,” and “a watchtower, a place to watch over and protect the vineyard. This shows us that the landowner had carefully prepared everything before leasing the vineyard to the tenants. So, the tenants had no excuse for failing to produce fruit, because they had everything they needed to be fruitful.
Now, the time to harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the harvest. And the landowner did not ask them for the whole vineyard. He only asked them for what belonged to him. But something terrible happened. The tenants took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Then the landowner sent for more servants, but the tenants treated them the same way. Finally, he sent his son. He said, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said: “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.” And they took him outside the vineyard and killed him. Then Jesus asked the religious leaders, what do you think he will do to those tenants? They answered, “He will put those wicked men to a horrible death and give the vineyard to others who will give him his share after each harvest.”
Beloved in Christ, we can see that those tenants did not have good hearts. Look at the way they paid the landowner of the vineyard. And some of us know people like these tenants. Some of you have helped someone to flourish. You gave someone an opportunity in life. You helped someone when they were struggling. You opened a door for someone. But then, they hurt you with their words. They stoned you with silence. They tried to destroy the good things you had done for them. Some of us are still crying inside because of the people we have helped and because of the way they have treated us. And sometimes, we ask ourselves this question: “Is there anything I did not do for you to flourish, for you to pay me back like this?” It is painful when you receive negative words from someone you have helped in life.
Imagine that you own a property and you rent it to some people. At the end of the month, you send your son to collect rent. Then suddenly, you receive a call from the police saying, “we are very sorry. Your son was beaten and killed by the tenants.” How would you feel? What would you do? How would you respond? Think about this scenario in relation to the people you have helped in life. Think about what you sometimes receive after helping someone.
Maybe you are here today, and you find yourself in the place of the landowner. Maybe you have been hurt by someone you helped. Maybe your close friend or someone of your family you trusted disappointed you. Maybe there is someone to whom you gave an opportunity, but later that person did things against you. Maybe you are still carrying that pain in your heart. But, today, I want to tell you: “give that pain to God.” Please, do not look for revenge. Bring your pain to God. Think about this parable. The landowner represents God, and the son represents Jesus Christ. God sent His Son, but what did they do to Him? They rejected Him and killed Him. So, Jesus was not simply telling a story about a vineyard. He was speaking about Himself and about the religious leaders who were rejecting Him. And yet, Jesus did not respond with revenge.
Beloved in Christ, sometimes people may reject you, but their rejection does not determine your value. Sometimes people may not appreciate what you have done for them. Sometimes you may help someone, and instead of receiving gratitude, you receive criticism. Instead of receiving love, you receive rejection. Jesus was rejected too; after all the good things he did; healing, helping, and feeding people. I know it is painful to see someone you helped to pay you back with criticism. Please, this morning, bring that pain you are carrying inside you to Jesus. And do not allow someone else’s behavior to change the person God has called you to be. Amen.
Prayer:
Gracious and loving God,
Thank You for your word this morning. Lord, we know that sometimes people will disappoint us. Sometimes people we have helped may hurt us. Sometimes people we love may reject us or speak against us. And sometimes, we carry that pain quietly in our hearts. Today, Lord, we bring that pain to You. Heal every wounded heart. Give us the strength to forgive. Help us not to seek revenge or allow someone else’s behavior to change who You have called us to be.
We give You our pain, our disappointments, our relationships, and our future. Help us to trust You and remain faithful. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
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