The Murderous Tenants

Sermon 84 in Series

Luke 20:9-19

[9] And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. [10] When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. [11] And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. [12] And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. [13] Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ [14] But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ [15] And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? [16] He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” [17] But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written:

“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone’?

[18] Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”

[19] The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How do the religious leaders in Jesus’ day serve as a warning against disregarding truth for personal interest? How might this play out in our daily lives?
2.  Who are the tenants in Jesus’ parable? What is he saying about Israel’s past?
3.  What does this parable communicate about God’s character? How does it highlight the uniqueness of Jesus in comparison to the Old Testament prophets?
4.  How does this parable anticipate Good Friday? What will be the consequence for the nation, and how does this build on what Jesus has already said?
5.  What does it mean that Jesus is the cornerstone? How is he both the stumbling stone that breaks and crushes and the foundation?
6.  How do Christians functionally drift from treating Christ as the only foundation? How have you allowed other things to fill this role in your life?

References: Isaiah 5:1-17 (corporate reading); Luke 2:49; John 2:17; Luke 19:14; 11:47-48; Acts 7:52; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-2; Luke 3:22; 19:41-44; Matthew 8:11-12; Romans 6:1-2; Psalm 118:22; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Isaiah 8:14-15; Daniel 2:34-35.