Luke 20:9-20

The Fifth Sunday in Lent | April 3, 2022 | Lk 20:9-20 | David H. Brooks |

Some years ago, I heard a speaker riff on old Polonius with the clever phrase “neither a renter nor a landlord be.” There is truth in this expression, for a quick spin around the Google will find plenty of hair-raising tales of both bad renters and bad landlords.

At first blush, this parable by Jesus, told to a divided audience of attendees in the Temple and the chief priests and related tradesmen, seems to deliver both groups: bad tenants and bad landlords. If you’ve ever rented, there’s nothing worse than an absentee landlord—never available for the inevitable repairs and other issues that arise in any apartment or home. If you’ve ever been a property manager, there’s nothing worse than a disrespectful renter—they do what they wish because they don’t care.

But is it true? Is God a bad landlord? Jesus doesn’t seem to think so, as he has reminded his audiences and followers that God is generous, giving good gifts without regard for the worthiness of the receivers. Luther, following Jesus, is quick to outline all that God gives: life, goods, family, friends, intellect, and all other things of life. What is more, God has also given us the word of salvation, the gift of faith, and a full portion of the household of God. It is not a question of absence, for the vineyard has been planned to be fruitful.

But if God provides, what are we as tenants?

Now, Jesus is clear about the specific group that he is criticizing in this parable. The priests and scribes of the Temple, granted their role by God’s gracious gift and call to their ancestor Levi, have forgotten that they are tenants, caretakers, responsible to God for the fruits of his vineyard. They have come to believe that they are owners, not renters, and that their position in Israel is by right rather than by gift. Jesus’ parable is judgement, and the chief priests and scribes confirm that judgement by wishing to capture him, even as their fear of the crowds stop them.

However, this parable is a warning to us! When we think that, as members of this congregation, we are entitled to benefits, or that we are privileged to be served first, or that we have “paid” for what we have received, then we have fallen into the same mindset as the chief priests. When we let others be generous with their time, but are sparing with our own, then we are usurping the vineyard. When we complain about other’s behavior but are not willing to be held accountable for our own, we are being unruly tenants. When we pursue other activities but reason that we do not need to be present here, that we can ignore our Lord’s call on our lives, we are becoming those who despise the son.

Let us not ignore our Lord’s searching judgement! Jesus sees what is buried down deep in us, what is choking life out of us, and he searches out our sin, excises what is death in us and pours new life into us. Trust him! Lean on him! Be rooted in him! Follow him everywhere! There is nothing in life that we can claim, that we can say is ours—except Jesus, who has lovingly come to us and given to us his own self. In him we are fruitful, strong and joy-filled. But let us be like famed English author G.K. Chesterton and never forget whose we are:

I am a tenant on this earth, Lord, a lucky soul to whom you’ve given a generous lease on life. The rent? You’ve asked for none — only that I have faith and live accordingly. And if any passersby will stop to ask, “Who lives here?” or, “Who owns this lovely place?” by your grace may I tell them with a humble nod, “I’m just a tenant here: the Owner, who deserves your praise, is God.”

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Pastor David H. Brooks

Raleigh, NC

Pr.Dave.Brooks@zoho.com