Bible Study: Matthew 21:33-46

I kind of wished this was videotaped so that I could save it because I think it went very well but here are some notes taken by Nick Kersten from the Bible Study I presented at the 2009 SDB Pastor's Conference.

"Renting...it sucks." - Dave Taylor
There is a tenuous relationship between renters and landlords.

• renters and landlords view the property differently
• renters don't take care of the property the same as the landlord would
• renters are not always what they appear to be in their interview or on their application

Qualities of Good Tenants (as shared by group): income, stability, good credit, clean, background check, well behaved, responsible, someone like the landlord, conscientious, dependable, good references, communicates and listens well

The Characters in the Parable (as shared by group):
Owner: God
Vineyard: the Kingdom, Israel, people of God, the world, religious leaders
Tenants: religious leaders, Pharisees, temple beaurocracy
Servants: prophets
Son: Jesus

According to any law, would tenants who kill the heir to the property be able to inherit that property? Probably not-they would be evicted and jailed.

Jesus seems to indicate that the vineyard will be taken away from wicked tenants and given to someone who will produce fruit.

What kind of tenants are we? We will be held accountable to what we have been entrusted with. This is certain.

The owner has provided everything necessary for the tenants to render good service-There is no excuse for poor or insufficient work.

We have have an opportunity to have a relationship with the owner.

Jesus Christ is the "senior pastor" of every church. We are the "under shepherds". We cannot do anything by ourselves in our churches. We must work under the authority of the "senior pastor".

How did the tenants arrive at the place where they were killing the heir? Likely, they forgot. They started working and likely forgot. Eventually they assumed that they owned the land and the fruit. Two mistakes were made: they disrespected the Son and they didn't yield any fruit.

The redemptive aspect: God WILL take care of His vineyard-though He has demonstrated amazing restraint. There is hope that we also will be shown the patience that He has shown the tenants and redeem us from our situations.

Jesus was a threat to the agenda of the religious leaders. Is He a threat to us in our ministries?

How has your church received the Son? What can be done to give Jesus a better reception in our churches?