Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Word of the Lord which engages us this morning comes from our Gospel lesson (Luke 20: 9-19; the Parable of the Wicked Tenants). ����������������

During this Lenten season we are moving to the cross. During the first Sunday in Lent our Gospel lesson focused on Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness. He resisted the temptations that we so easily fall prey to. Then in the next Sunday's reading, Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem. He began moving himself to the city that would soon call for his crucifixion. While Jesus was on his way He began calling tax collectors and other "sinners" to repentance, and they responded. Hundreds, even thousands, were beginning to believe that He was a prophet sent from God, perhaps even the Messiah promised by the Old Testament prophets. But the ones who believed in him, who were trusting him, were the outcasts of society. They were not the elite, like the ruling religious class of priests. Those priests and religious leaders knew of Jesus' miracles. We even have archaeological evidence. Archaeologists have discovered a wanted poster against Jesus, one that indicates that these priests knew of his miracles. But they concluded he must not be from God because of whom he was hanging out with, the outcasts whom he was calling to repentance and discipleship. ����������������

It is in this context that Jesus tells this parable. It is a direct, forceful parable, one that antagonized the chief priests. It was a parable that clearly taught that when it comes to the LORD's plan of salvation, there is no gray, no middle ground. One either rejects the LORD's gracious plan of rescue for His people, or one turns and repents and becomes a disciple. On the one side, the Parable of the Wicked Tenants shows God's judgment upon those who spurn His grace. On the other side, the Parable show us what is possible through God's grace in Christ Jesus. ����������������

This parable first summarizes Israel's often-wicked response to God's patient dealings with them and God's judgment on those who reject his grace. Jesus compares God's chose people to tenant-farmers. In a gracious covenant relationship, Israel was to bring forth fruits of faith. I, like many of you, grew up on a farm. I learned early that when my dad was renting from a landowner, he owed them a special sense of trust, to show them evidence of his trustworthiness. When it came to harvest time, Dad would usually cut wheat on his landlords' acres first, then cut the fields that he and Mom owned after. This was a risk, because if a hailstorm or fire hit, the risk of losing money for him was greater on his own land than on rented land. On the rented land 1/3 of the crop went to the landlord. Yet my Dad always wanted to protect his relationship with the landlords, for his own reputation and so that they would continue to trust him. ����������������

The tenant farmers of Jesus' parable weren't at all trustworthy. Not only didn't they pay back to the owner what was his, they actually attacked the servants who he sent to collect on what was his. These servants represent the Old Testament prophets whom God continued to send to His chosen people. This owner patiently sent his servant-prophets to remind his people of his grace and their responsibility. ����������������

In an ultimate act of love, the owner sent his son who was rejected and killed. Jesus was obviously pointing at himself as the one they were about to reject and kill. They were already plotting against him as He knew they would. In the parable, the owner of the vineyard destroys the rebellious tenants and the vineyard is given to others. ����������������

Now we here today have not rejected the Son of the Owner of the Vineyard, Jesus, or else we would not be here today. We rejoice that so many new people are officially joining with us today to serve Jesus in his vineyard. But while we have not rejected his gracious call, we will want to keep due diligence that we do not develop a self-serving attitude like the Chief Priests and teachers of the Law. We too can be led by our sinful nature to reject the ownership of our Creator, seeking to lay claim to what is really not ours. Whenever we find ourselves saying "It's MY life, I can live it however I want," we forget that it's NOT actually MY life, but the life my Creator has graciously granted to me. Whenever we find ourselves saying "It's MY money, I can do whatever I want with it," we forget that it's NOT actually OUR money or our treasure or our home, but the treasures and homes our Creator has graciously granted to us for a time. We are called upon to use the fruits that He has given us to give back to Him and his Kingdom. Our holy lives implicitly call others to faith and open them up to the explicit call of God's Word. ����������������

Even more so we are prone to rejecting the gracious call to a life of following the Son of the Vineyard. We are prone to ignore his gracious call through His Word and Sacraments. When we reject or belittle our Baptismal covenant, neglect corporate worship, avoid the study of Scripture, avoid the Lord's Supper, we drift away from Him. "Hebrews 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" Just as the Chief Priests had drifted away from the Old Testament covenant with God we must pay careful attention so we do not drift away. I need you studying God's Word so if I am tempted and start to drift away or lead the congregation away from His Word, you can catch me. You need me and others here studying God's Word and knowing of your life so that if you start to drift away, we can catch you. ����������������

There is an old rabbinic saying: "If a stone falls on a pot, woe to the pot. If a pot falls on a stone, woe to the pot." Did you notice the twists Jesus puts on the end of this parable "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone'? 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed." Jesus, the Stone, is about to be rejected by the leaders, but through his rejection, arrest, crucifixion and death, He becomes the cornerstone, the stone that holds the whole building together. Everyone will be touched by that stone. Everyone who touches it will be either "broken or crushed. Those who believe in him, disciples, must fall into brokenness of repentance in order to be raised again as new beings, living stones in Christ the temple of God. But upon unbelievers comes the crushing blow of judgment" (from Arthur Just, Concordia Commentary on Luke, 1997, p. 765). ����������������

From the side of the cross, the other side of judgment, the Parable of the Wicked Tenants shows us what is possible through God's grace in Jesus Christ. He has become the Chief Cornerstone of the Church and the Universe. We who live repentant lives are connected to him, buried with him into his death and resurrection through baptism (Romans 6). Those who by God's grace believe in Jesus Christ are now enabled and empowered to be good vinedressers. The Holy Spirit calls us to faith in Christ through Word and Sacrament, and he empowers us for good and productive work in the vineyard of this world. We strive to be good tenants of our Lord, humbly aware of his ownership and His wonderful grace toward us, receptive to his Word, clinging to the Son in faith, bearing fruits to the glory of God. ����������������

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants is a direct and forceful one that teaches there is not gray area in Christ's salvation. The parable pronounces severe judgment upon those who reject His grace. However, viewed from the side of the cross and empty tomb we see how that judgment against us fell on Jesus. Because of His love we can be motivated and empowered for good and useful service in God's vineyard. Thanks be to God that through Jesus Christ we can see the other side of judgment.

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 7)

Note: Much of the structure and some of the content of this sermon, especially the middle half, came from suggestions made by Rev. John Wohlrabe in the Concordia Journal, January 1986, p. 30.