What happens when we start treating God’s kingdom as though it belongs to us? In this episode, Jesus tells a parable about tenants who reject the prophets, kill the Son, and convince themselves that they can seize the inheritance for themselves. We explore why the fruits of the kingdom aren’t something we produce or control, but faith in the Son whom God sent—and why the cornerstone we reject is the very Christ who gives us mercy.
GOSPEL
Matthew 21:33-46
33 "Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 34 When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35 But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. 37 Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' 39 So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" 41 They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time."
42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'? 43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. 44 The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."
45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 46 They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.
CARE OF SOULS: DEATH
In Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those facing death, grief, and loss.
Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.
Across five episodes, the hosts tackle tough but essential questions on death:
- How does Lutheran theology speak uniquely to death and grief?
- What does faithful pastoral care look like when walking alongside those who mourn?
- How can pastors offer both honesty and hope in the face of tragedy and loss?
- What does ministry look like when death impacts the pastor as well as the congregation?
- Why do funerals matter, and what is God giving through them?
With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the sorrow of death not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.
Because in the end, it's not about avoiding death—it's about hearing the Gospel from the One who has passed through death and opened the way to life.
Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls
Support the show
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