Parables
Week 11 - The Worst Renters

In today’s parable, Jesus talks about wicked tenants, speaking to the deep-seated human tendency to reject God’s authority. The parable illustrates how we often act as if we’re the owners of our lives, rather than tenants entrusted with God’s gifts.

The religious leaders’ reaction to this parable demonstrates the essence of the story: their anger toward Jesus is an example of how angry and irritated we can become in the presence of the truth. The religious leaders want to kill Jesus for telling this story, meaning the very thing He illustrates, He evokes. Jesus shows three key relationships in the parable:

1. Tenants to Owner: We often act as if we own our lives, forgetting we’re stewards of God’s gifts.

The tenants begin to act like owners; that’s the point of the parable. They won’t listen to the messengers, they won’t tend by the owner’s word, and they don’t give the owner the profit (or glory). The Bible tells us it’s the nature of the human heart to think of itself as the owner of what we have and not a tenant.

2. Tenants to Messengers: We frequently reject God’s messages, whether through people or circumstances.

This parable reminds us and teaches us God, in His mercy, never leaves us without some sort of witness. He sends repeated messengers into our lives to tell us we are not owners, to shatter the illusion that we are independent and self-sufficient. He consistently reminds us our true condition is dependent and contingent.

3. Tenants to Son: Our rebellion against God reaches its peak in the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus.

The parable emphasizes that our desire for control and independence stems from a deep-seated enmity toward God. This hatred manifests in various ways, from intellectual skepticism to rigid religiosity, both of which can be attempts to avoid surrendering control to God.

Jesus doesn’t end the parable with rejection. He ends by quoting Psalm 118:22, identifying Himself as the rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone. This metaphor speaks to His ultimate triumph despite rejection, offering hope for reconciliation. Jesus concludes by reminding us that though rejected and crucified, He is the means of our reconciliation with God. Through His sacrifice, we can move from being enemies to becoming children of God.

Discussion Questions:
Have you ever rented something (house, car, etc.)? Share a positive or negative experience you had as a renter or a landlord.

What the Text Says:
Read Luke 20:9-19. Who do the different characters in the parable represent (owner, tenants, servants, son)?

Understanding:
The parable suggests that humans have a deep-seated hatred toward God that we often repress. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Application:
In what areas of your life might you be acting more like an owner than a tenant? How can you shift your perspective?

The sermon mentions “providential messengers” - circumstances God uses to remind us we’re not in control. Can you identify any such messengers in your life?

Next Steps:
What is one practical step you can take this week to acknowledge God’s ownership in your life?

How can you be more attentive to the “messengers” God might be sending your way?

Missional Living:
How might our attitude as “tenants” rather than “owners” affect the way we interact with others and care for creation?

How can we share the message of God’s ownership and our stewardship with others in a way that’s inviting rather than
threatening?

Finally, what did this parable leave you to think about?