The Parable of the Tenants: The Rejected Cornerstone

Title: The Parable of the Tenants: The Rejected Cornerstone

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-45, Mark 12:1-12

Introduction:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with grateful hearts, thankful for this time to gather in Your presence. We ask that You open our minds and soften our hearts as we listen to Your Word. Lord, give us understanding and wisdom to recognize Your voice and respond to Your call. Help us to see the ways You have entrusted us with blessings, responsibilities, and opportunities to serve You.

Holy Spirit, move in us today. Reveal the areas of our lives where we need to make Christ our cornerstone, and give us the courage to surrender fully to You. May this message guide us to live as faithful stewards and build our lives on the foundation of Jesus. We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and our cornerstone. Amen.

Historical Context:

In the time of Jesus, Israel was under Roman rule, and the Jewish leaders had significant authority over religious and civil matters among the Jewish people. This parable takes place during Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem, where He is openly confronting the religious authorities. By this time, Jesus was a well-known figure, celebrated by the people but seen as a threat by religious leaders because He challenged their practices and authority.

Purpose of the Parable:

Jesus used this parable to expose the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and their rejection of God’s prophets, ultimately foreshadowing their rejection of Him. Jesus knew they were plotting against Him, and this parable both warns and calls them to repentance.

Argument:

Jesus crafts this parable as a mirror to reveal how the religious leaders, as stewards of God’s people, have failed in their responsibilities and repeatedly rejected God’s messengers. In hearing this, we too are prompted to consider our response to God’s message.

1. Setting the Scene of the Vineyard (Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1)

Explanation:

Matthew 21:33 ““Listen to another parable: There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a watchtower. He leased it to tenant farmers and went away.”

Mark 12:1 “Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug out a pit for a winepress, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and went away.”

Jesus describes a landowner who carefully prepares a vineyard. The wall, winepress, and watchtower signify the attention and investment the owner makes. This image would have resonated with the Jewish audience because “vineyard” often symbolizes Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7). The landowner (God) created a beautiful, thriving place and trusted its care to others.

Historical Argument:

The people hearing this would recognize that they are the vineyard, entrusted by God to produce good fruit. Yet, the “tenants” of this vineyard—the religious leaders—have failed to fulfill their responsibilities, instead claiming authority that belongs to God.

Application:

Like the vineyard, our lives are entrusted by God for a purpose. He provides us with resources, guidance, and opportunities to live out His will. We are called to be faithful stewards, cultivating what He has given us for His glory.

This vineyard is a symbol of God’s relationship with His people. The landowner, who represents God, prepares everything for a thriving vineyard—He plants, builds, protects. And then, He trusts the vineyard to tenants.

Now, these tenants represent Israel’s leaders—the priests and teachers who were supposed to care for God’s people. But in many ways, this vineyard represents us too. God has entrusted each of us with gifts, families, communities, and a world to care for.

Illustration: Imagine a parent who spends years creating a safe, loving home and pouring love into their children. They go out of their way to make sure their kids have everything they need to thrive. The hope is that the children will recognize that love and use what they’ve been given wisely.

Application: Just like those children, we’re called to honor what we’ve been given. God has created each of us for a purpose, and He has entrusted us to be faithful stewards of our lives and resources. So, how are we tending to the “vineyard” God has placed in our care? Are we being faithful stewards of our time, talents, and responsibilities?

Illustration:

Consider a gardener who spends years cultivating a beautiful garden. Every plant, every path is carefully planned. When a neighbor volunteers to tend it while they are away, it’s an honor and a responsibility. If that neighbor begins neglecting the garden, it’s clear they aren’t honoring the owner’s trust. Quote: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God has prepared each of us, with intention and purpose, to do good in the world.

Responsibility and Stewardship

“With great power comes great responsibility.” — Spider-Man (2002)

This quote emphasizes the responsibility that comes with what we are entrusted with, similar to how the tenants were entrusted with the vineyard but failed to honor that responsibility.

2. The Tenants’ Betrayal (Matthew 21:34-39; Mark 12:2-8)

Explanation:

Matthew 21:34–39 “When the grape harvest drew near, he sent his slaves to the farmers to collect his fruit. But the farmers took his slaves, beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Again, he sent other slaves, more than the first group, and they did the same to them. Finally, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. “But when the tenant farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance!’ So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.”

Mark 12:2–8 “At harvest time he sent a slave to the farmers to collect some of the fruit of the vineyard from the farmers. But they took him, beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent another slave to them, and they hit him on the head and treated him shamefully. Then he sent another, and they killed that one. He also sent many others; they beat some and they killed some. “He still had one to send, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But those tenant farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours!’ So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.”

When it’s time for the landowner to collect his due, he sends servants, symbolizing the prophets God sent to Israel. Each messenger is treated worse than the last. Finally, the landowner sends his son, representing Jesus, whom the tenants ultimately kill in an attempt to seize the inheritance. This mirrors how the religious leaders treated God’s messengers, from the prophets to Jesus Himself.

Argument:

The story escalates to demonstrate the hardening of the religious leaders’ hearts. Instead of recognizing the son (Jesus) as the rightful heir, they act as if the vineyard is theirs. Jesus’ argument here is that rejecting God’s messengers and His Son has far-reaching consequences. They are claiming what is God’s as their own and rejecting the One sent to restore them.

What a shocking twist! Instead of honoring the owner’s request, the tenants plot to keep the vineyard for themselves. The servants in this story represent the prophets God sent to Israel to bring them back to Him. And, finally, the son in this story is Jesus, whom the religious leaders would ultimately reject and crucify.

Argument: Jesus is challenging the leaders directly, showing them that their selfishness and refusal to honor God has led them to reject His messengers. They are acting as if they own what truly belongs to God, and in so doing, they reveal their hard-heartedness.

Application: This is a sobering reminder for us too. Are there times when we act as if our lives and resources are truly ours rather than gifts from God? Are we letting our own desires take precedence over God’s will? God calls us to surrender and remember that everything we have is a gift from Him

Application:

The parable challenges us to examine our response to God’s messengers and His truth. Do we accept God’s authority, or do we, like the tenants, seek to rule over our own lives without God?

Illustration:

Imagine an employee who starts managing a family business. Over time, he begins to act as if he owns it, changing operations without permission and claiming profits. When the family asks him to honor their agreement, he ignores them, thinking he knows best. Eventually, he must face the reality of his actions.

Quote:

“In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets… but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). God’s final message to humanity comes through His Son, and we are called to honor and respond to Him.

“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” — The Dark Knight (2008)

This quote can illustrate how the tenants in the parable began to think only of themselves, eventually becoming “villains” by rejecting the owner’s messengers and claiming the vineyard for themselves.

3. Judgment on the Unfaithful Tenants (Matthew 21:40-41; Mark 12:9)

Explanation:

Matthew 21:40–41 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?” “He will completely destroy those terrible men,” they told Him, “and lease his vineyard to other farmers who will give him his produce at the harvest.””

Mark 12:9 ““Therefore, what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers and give the vineyard to others.”

Jesus asks what the landowner will do to these tenants. The audience replies that the owner will destroy these wicked tenants and find others who will faithfully tend the vineyard. This foreshadows judgment on those who reject God’s Son and refuse to honor God’s authority.

Argument:

Jesus makes a clear point: rejecting God’s Son is not only a failure in stewardship but an act that leads to judgment. The parable is not just a warning for the religious leaders; it is a warning for anyone who neglects God’s authority over their life.

The people listening to Jesus’ parable can’t help but agree—judgment is warranted. The owner has given the tenants countless chances to do the right thing, and each time, they failed. The same principle applies to us today: rejecting God’s Son and His authority in our lives has consequences.

Application:

This calls us to reflect on our stewardship of what God has given us—our time, talents, families, and communities. Are we honoring God with these gifts, or have we claimed them as our own?

Illustration:

Imagine a landlord who rents out an apartment, expecting tenants to care for it. When he returns, he finds it damaged, neglected, and misused. The landlord has every right to hold the tenants accountable, reflecting a rightful judgment.

Quote:

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). This verse reminds us that rejecting God’s will eventually leads to consequences.

“Our actions are what set things in motion, but we have to live with our choices and all their consequences.” — The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

This quote speaks directly to the idea that choices come with consequences, just as the tenants faced judgment for their rejection of God’s messengers and His Son.

“Oh yes, the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it.” — The Lion King

This famous quote reminds us that we have a choice to learn from our past mistakes. The tenants in the parable failed to learn from their mistakes, leading to judgment. We can choose a different path.

4. The Rejected Stone Becomes the Cornerstone (Matthew 21:42-45; Mark 12:10-12)

Explanation:

Matthew 21:42–45 “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit. [Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whoever it falls, it will grind him to powder!]” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they knew He was speaking about them.”

Mark 12:10–12 “Haven’t you read this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes?” Because they knew He had said this parable against them, they were looking for a way to arrest Him, but they were afraid of the crowd. So they left Him and went away.”

Jesus concludes by quoting Psalm 118:22, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Jesus is the rejected stone who becomes the foundation for God’s kingdom. The religious leaders, though they rejected Jesus, could not stop God’s plan.

Argument:

By claiming to build their authority on their own terms, the religious leaders missed the essential “stone” of their faith—Jesus. Without this cornerstone, their foundation is incomplete, and they miss out on the secure, everlasting structure God offers.

Here, Jesus uses the image of a cornerstone. The builders—the religious leaders—rejected this stone, but it becomes the foundation of God’s kingdom. Though the leaders would reject and crucify Jesus, He would rise again and become the foundation for salvation.

Application:

We’re called to make Jesus the cornerstone of our lives. When we reject Him, we risk building our lives on unstable ground. Embracing Him aligns our actions, beliefs, and values with God’s truth.

Illustration:

Consider an architect who carefully designs a building, choosing a cornerstone for strength and stability. If the builders ignore that cornerstone, the structure becomes weak, unstable, and susceptible to collapse.

Quote: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6-7). When we build on Christ as the cornerstone, we have a foundation that endures.

“If you build it, he will come.” — Field of Dreams (1989) While referring to baseball in the movie, this quote can be seen as a metaphor for building our lives on a firm foundation, with Christ as the cornerstone. When we build our lives on Him, He makes His presence known

“Even miracles take a little time.” — Cinderella

This line from Cinderella’s fairy godmother serves as a reminder that building on the cornerstone of faith in Christ requires patience and trust. Although we may not always see immediate results, God’s work in our lives is steady and sure.

5. Application: Are We Building on the Right Foundation?

Explanation:

The parable leaves the audience with a choice: embrace Jesus as the cornerstone or face the consequences of rejection. Jesus speaks to the leaders, challenging them to examine whether they are building their lives on God’s foundation.

Argument:

Jesus is urging the religious leaders—and us—to align our lives with God’s will. Are we cultivating our lives and communities according to God’s purposes? Or are we building on our own terms, risking instability and judgment?

Application:

As stewards of what God has entrusted to us, we are challenged to make Christ our foundation. He is the cornerstone, aligning our lives with God’s truth and giving us a stable foundation.

Illustration:

Think of a house built on solid rock versus one on shifting sand. When storms come, the house on rock stands firm. Likewise, a life built on Christ withstands life’s trials.

Quote: Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). Building on Christ means living by His teaching, securing our foundation.

“If you build it, he will come.” — Field of Dreams (1989) While referring to baseball in the movie, this quote can be seen as a metaphor for building our lives on a firm foundation, with Christ as the cornerstone. When we build our lives on Him, He makes His presence known

Conclusion:

In closing, The Parable of the Tenants reminds us of the privilege and responsibility we have as stewards of God’s blessings. Just as the tenants were entrusted with the vineyard, we’ve each been given lives, relationships, and resources to care for and use for God’s glory. Jesus’ message in this parable is both a warning and an invitation—a call to recognize His authority, to honor the gifts we’ve been given, and ultimately to accept Him as the cornerstone of our lives.

The choice is ours: will we embrace Jesus, build on Him as our foundation, and allow our lives to bear fruit for His Kingdom? Or will we fall into the trap of claiming control for ourselves, risking instability and missing the purpose He’s called us to? Today, let’s commit to making Christ the center, to honoring what He’s entrusted to us, and to living with the assurance that when we build on Him, our foundation is secure. As we go forward, may our lives reflect His love, truth, and faithfulness, bearing fruit for His glory. Amen.

Closing Prayer:

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and for the reminder that we are stewards of all You have entrusted to us. Help us to recognize Your love, Your patience, and Your care in every blessing and responsibility we hold. Lord, forgive us for the times we have tried to claim what is Yours, and give us hearts that humbly acknowledge You as our foundation.

Jesus, we invite You to be the cornerstone of our lives, the solid ground upon which we build. May we live each day with faithfulness, reflecting Your truth and grace in all we do. Strengthen us to bear fruit for Your Kingdom, to steward Your gifts with integrity, and to share Your love with those around us. We surrender all that we are to You, trusting that when we build on You, we will never be shaken. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.