Amy C Walters

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants | Luke 20:9-19

The behavior of the tenants in this parable is shocking–they seem to think they are untouchable. Why? Because the owner is in a distant country. But the story doesn’t end with the tenants winning. Instead, the owner comes and they are destroyed. Because there are consequences for how we respond to Jesus.

One of the shocking parts of this parable is the horrible behavior of the tenants. They abuse the owner’s servants without being provoked. And they don’t seem to be worried about getting in trouble for it. Why not? 

I think the key to that comes at the beginning of the story when we’re told that the owner “went to another country for a long time.” The owner is distant and forgotten.

Jesus tells this parable in the context of the Ancient Near East when going to another country is no quick and easy task. It could take weeks or months to travel those distances. Also, the owner can’t simply pick up the phone and call local authorities to deal with his tenant problem. 

So that distance creates in the tenants a sense of untouchability. They think they are outside the reach of the owner to punish them.

We see this attitude all over the Bible, especially in the Psalms. In Psalm 10, the wicked think, “God has forgotten, he’s hidden his face, he will never see it, God will not call to account.” Or in Psalm 73, the wicked say, “How can God know?” They think that God doesn’t see and cannot reach them to give them consequences. 

So in this parable, these tenants treat each servant horribly, their abuse escalates, and there’s no sign of repentance, even when the son comes.

But Jesus’ parable doesn’t end with the death of the son. Instead, he says, “What will the owner of the vineyard do to the tenants? He will come and destroy them and give the vineyard to others.” The tenants do not get away with abuse and murder. The owner comes and he destroys the servants. And instead of the tenants taking the son’s inheritance, the vineyard is given to others. 

In case the audience misses this point about the consequences, Jesus doubles down. He quotes from Psalm 118 that “the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”  Jesus continues the metaphor, saying, “Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. And when the stone falls on anyone, he will be crushed.” 

Jesus is referencing Isaiah 8:14-15, which says, “And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken. They shall be snared and taken.” In the context of Isaiah 8, the stone refers to the Lord Almighty. Jesus is applying that Scripture to himself. 

So notice that the rejection of the tenants doesn’t get rid of the son. Instead, it leads to the tenants’ own destruction. There’s no getting around it. There is punishment for everyone who rejects the son. 

But notice too, there’s another option for responding to the son. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Even though the builders reject it, it instead becomes the foundation. The opportunity is to accept the cornerstone and to build your life upon it.

Look again at the Isaiah 8 passage. Yes, the stone leads to offense and stumbling, but it’s also called a “sanctuary.” That’s a place of safety.

In Acts 4, after Jesus has been resurrected and returned to heaven, the religious leaders have Peter and John arrested. The rulers, elders, and the teachers of the law begin to question Peter and John, asking, “By what power or what name did you do this?” They’re questioning the  disciples’ authority. Sounds familiar, right (Luke 20:2)?

Then Peter preaches an incredible sermon and quotes the Psalm 118 verse, “the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” He goes on to say, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given by men by which we must be saved.” 

What is that name? Who is salvation found in? It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Jesus is the cornerstone that we can build our lives upon. He is the sanctuary that we can

can run to. We don’t have to be crushed by him, broken by him. We can be saved by him. 

Our key truth for today is that there are consequences for how you respond to Jesus. 

When it comes to Jesus, you have two options; reject him and be destroyed or embrace him and be saved. Your eternity depends on it. 

So many people live like the tenants, thinking that there won’t be consequences to their actions, that they can get away with it, that God doesn’t see or care or exist or have the power to do anything about their behavior. 

But Jesus tells this story as a warning. Rejection leads to destruction, but submission leads to life. Choose Jesus.

Today as you go, do just that. Choose Jesus. If you haven’t done it yet, don’t waste any more time in your rebellion, because you never know when the owner is going to come back. Be ready for his return by trusting the son. He is your sanctuary. He is your foundation. There is no other name by which to be saved. Trust him today because there are consequences for how you respond to Jesus.