If you or someone you know “dabbles in real estate,” you’ve probably heard some stories about renters, who—when they moved out—left a property in terrible condition. And in those situations, it’s only natural, I think, to feel badly for the property owner, who—through no fault of their own—had to bear the costs of such disrespect. But in today’s word from Matthew 21, I find myself wondering: What if we, too, are disrespectful renters?

In today’s word, Jesus tells “The Parable of the Tenants.” And you know the story. A landowner puts together a great property and rents it out. And then, when he sends somebody to collect the rent, the tenants won’t pay. And when the landowner sends additional agents, they get disrespected, mistreated, and even subjected to violence.

Of course, when Jesus told the story, the landowner was his Heavenly Father; the tenants were the religious leaders; the unpaid rent was a people who reflected God’s priorities; and the agent was Jesus, who—through no fault of his own—would bear the cost of rebellion and sin. And the story ends with this word of warning: “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (21:43)

So, I wonder this morning: Are we “producing fruit” and “paying the rent” that our Heavenly Father has every right to expect? Are we living lives that are obedient, and kind, and that bless others as we have been blessed? And if we’re not, what will the Landowner do when it’s time for the rent to be paid?

Of course, the gospel’s answer to that question is that “the One who judges us most finally is the One who loves us most fully.” So in response to that love, let’s be the kind of people who handle well the lives that have been “rented” to us. And let’s produce the fruit that honors our Heavenly Father. Amen.