Matthew 21:33-46 ~ the tenants

Matthew 21:33-46

“Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. 35 And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone;

this was the Lord's doing,

and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. 44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. 46 And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

My mom is a Realtor. And we've had some rental property since I was in the 7th grade. So tenants are part of our life. We've had a Park Cities Baptist Minister, a Dallas Cowboy former owner,  a long named jewelry store owner in Dallas, a police man, and some restauranteurs who - I wish they knew where the garbage can had been placed. A stewardess homeschooling her kids who painted around the furniture and doors as was convenient.

Tenants means rolling stone. Just a season. Not in ownership. 

And then we have something that is more permanent. 

Tenants of our faith. A minister friend of ours told us - you have to prepare for those times when life floods you. Overwhelms you. You have to know what you believe and what you will cling to. Accountability of your faith. Because we are not here forever. We have to have a cornerstone. 

 When we rejoice in the LORD, more things are marvelous to our eyes. We learn to look for things to rejoice in.

Gratitude for what God planned to do for us. Gratitude for His Eternal Promises. Just for you. As if you were the only person who exists.

Acts 14:10
said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.


Romans 11:20
That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.


Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Ephesians 2:20-22
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.


2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.




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