Learning Whilst Waiting. (Luke 19:11-28)
We've all heard sermons about the Lord coming back or the second coming of the Lord and the message is usually something like this.
The Lord is going to come back he could come back at any minute So what we need to do is be ready because he could come back today.
As matter fact I preached a few sermons like that myself. But suppose I told you that the Lord at one point said I'm not coming back just yet, how would you react.
Why would he do that, and what would be the value in saying I'm not coming back just yet.
Well, this is one of the most fascinating passages in all of the gospels and especially the gospel of Luke and it is a passage in which I believe Jesus says just that.
Welcome to TBPDP.
Chapter 19 even begin reading with verse 11.
11: While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12: He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13: So, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
14: “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ 15: “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16: “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ 17: “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18: “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ 19: “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
20: “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21: I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ 22: “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23: Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
24: “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ 25: “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ 26: “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27: But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them, bring them here and kill them in front of me.’” 28: After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
(Luke 19: 1-11)
This passage introduces an unusual parable but before looking into it, there are some introductory points to consider.
Starting from verse 11, it presents it as another parable following on from some previous events.
It's likely that Zacchaeus, mentioned earlier, is among the audience Jesus is addressing. The parable discusses granting authority over a city, a concept that Zacchaeus in his position, would comprehend immediately.
The mention of "them" likely includes Zacchaeus’s friends and the disciples as well. Furthermore, Jesus speaks these words near Jerusalem, where the anticipation for the imminent appearance of the Kingdom of God is high.
During this time, there's a widespread belief among Jews that the Messiah would overthrow Roman rule and establish a new Kingdom. Jesus, repeatedly talking about the kingdom on his journey to Jerusalem, may have fuelled this expectation among his followers.
However, through this parable, Jesus suggests there will be a delay in the establishment of the Kingdom, challenging their immediate expectations. This delay prompts reflection among the listeners there on that day saying the entirety of the future Kingdom isn't imminent, it implies that will be a future event.
This delay is significant because it aligns with the broader understanding across various passages in the New Testament that although Jesus the Messiah has appeared the Kingdom is yet to fully come. While there might be slight ambiguity in a few instances, the prevailing interpretation is of a future Kingdom of God on earth.
There's a theological debate to this day about the nature of the Kingdom of God Some argue it's a present spiritual reality in the heart of every believer. Others, like myself, believe it's a future reality of a literal kingdom on Earth. I believe this parable supports this latter view, but I also accept that favouring either perspective does not in any way affect your position as a saved believer before a Holy God.
That only depends on acceptance of Jesus Christ as you saviour.
This parable is remarkably simple: a nobleman departs for a distant land to secure a kingdom for himself, with the intention of returning. The narrative unfolds in two parts: his departure and eventual return.
The first character we encounter is the nobleman, many bible experts would say he symbolizes Jesus, who embarks on this journey to secure his kingdom.
His departure signifies a delay in his return, indicating that his kingdom will not be re-established immediately but upon his return.
Now, let's consider the second group of characters in the parable—the servants.
The nobleman entrusts ten servants with ten minas each. A mina was a unit of weight made from silver and Gold and was equal in weight to 100 denarii. at that time represents about three months' wages, so a considerable sum but not a vast figure.
He instructs them to take this gift but to carry on being industrious and to engage in business until his return, which implies investing and trading to increase the resources entrusted to them.
This directive will clearly serve as a test of their faithfulness. The nobleman expects them to wisely manage the resources he has given them during his absence.
The essence of this passage lies in its test of obedience and faithfulness.
The nobleman, symbolizing Jesus, departs to later return and establish fully a kingdom, leaving ten servants with resources to invest in the meantime.
Concurrently, we note, the citizens of this city reject his authority. Upon his return, the nobleman assesses his servants' stewardship of what he has given them.
One servant, having multiplied his resources tenfold, is commended for his faithfulness in managing a what was given him. In response, the nobleman grants him authority over ten cities, a significant reward for diligent service.
This narrative is meant to underscore a profound principle: faithfulness in small things yields significant rewards.
The servant's prudent management of a relatively modest sum leads to an extraordinary outcome, a lesson echoed in the tenet, "He who is faithful in little will be entrusted with much."
However, please also note the parable also suggests that the reward for faithful stewardship will be increased responsibility, reflecting God's confidence in those who prove trustworthy.
In essence, the passage highlights the correlation between faithfulness and divine reward, emphasizing that those who prove faithful in small matters are entrusted with greater responsibilities and blessings.
No one truly qualifies for a significant responsibility until they've proven themselves in smaller ones.
Consider the story of George Washington Carver, the renowned botanist who lived until 1943. A Committed Christian, as a young man Carver once asked the Lord to explain the universe to him, to which says the Lord responded that it was beyond his grasp, suggesting he focus on something smaller, instead.
Carver heeded this advice and discovered over 300 products derived from varieties of peanuts through his research foodstuffs and the allergy affect and medicinal properties of peanuuts were developed.
The moral? Start small, prove your faithfulness, and greater responsibilities will follow.
This principle is evident in both of the parable’s two faithful servants.
The first servant returned with tenfold increase, earning him rule over ten cities. The second servant, while faithful, only doubled his investment, resulting in authority over five cities.
The message is clear: reward is in some way proportional to one's diligence and faithfulness.
What makes this parable unique is its explicit correlation between faithfulness and reward. It emphasizes that our rewards in God's kingdom correspond to our level of faithfulness.
This principle extends to the third servant, who out of fear, failed to invest his resources wisely. His perception of the master as strict and severe led him to squander his opportunity.
This highlights the importance of our perception of God in how we serve Him.
Indeed, doubts about God's goodness often underlie any temptations not to take him at His Word.
We see that right from the beginning in Satan's manipulation of Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Ultimately, our service to the Lord hinges on our understanding and trust in His character.
I wonder how many people refrain from wholeheartedly serving God due to fear, rather than trusting Him completely and giving their all.
This servant in the parable exemplifies such fear-driven reluctance. The Lord reproaches him, saying,
“I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? "
(Luke 19:22-23).
The servant's lack of faith led to disobedience, which led him to being described as wicked by the Lord.
This passage is indeed sobering. The servant's failure to invest his resources wisely resulted in complete loss.
He didn't engage in outright wrongdoing like murder or theft, but his neglect of service stemmed from his lack of faith. This lack of faith is translated as disobedience.
This parable resonates strongly with the teachings of the New Testament, particularly 1 Corinthians 3, which discusses the judgment seat of Christ. There, we are told our works will be tested by fire.
Some works, like wood and hay, will burn up, leaving nothing. Others, like gold and precious stones, will withstand the fire, resulting in rewards.
The servant who received ten cities ended up with even more, illustrating the principle that opportunities ungrasped will be given to others who faithfully seize them.
This truth is echoed throughout Scripture and this same principle applies in our lives. Billy Graham famously suggested that he may have been second choice for his amazing impactful ministry, only because another person more gifted than him who he went to bible college fell away from faith and he stepped in to fill the role.
The overarching messages? Seize every opportunity to serve God faithfully, for if we don't, someone else will, and they will reap the blessing of their obedience instead of you.
So, in this passage, we encounter three distinct groups:
The servants, the citizens, and the enemies.
In verse 27 the instruction to bring forth those subjects who rejected the nobleman's rule, ai direct reference to the citizens at the beginning where the y expressed their hatred towards the nobleman.
Hence, these ones, those who refused the nobleman's authority will ultimately face destruction.
This echoes perfectly the judgment depicted in Revelation 20.
Now, as the narrative shifts to Jerusalem, it becomes clear that the nobleman's kingdom will not be established immediately upon his return.
This delay is crucial, as it allows for the fulfilment of pivotal events which for Jesus would be his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.
Thus, faithful servants will ultimately be rewarded in proportion to their faithfulness, while fearful and faithless individuals will face loss and destruction.
Everyone on this planet will therefore falls into one of these three categories—faithful, fearful, or faithless—determining not just their eternal destiny, but also their level of reward.
So, the message is twofold:
First, make the most of opportunities during the delay of the kingdom's establishment:
Second, prioritize faithfulness in the little things, as a holy life is built upon countless small acts of obedience and integrity.
Even the small things in life, reflecting an opportunity to everyone no matter how small the gifts or abilities that they have been blessed with Little words not eloquent speeches or sermons, little deeds not necessarily huge miracles or battles or one great heroic efforts or martyrdom makeup the Christian life for everyone.
The Christian life is often just the shinning of a constant light not the flash of lightning. In can be the water of the pool of Siloam that goes softly in their healing mission or the waters of a great rivers a rushing torrents forcefully coming down from the mountain.
These can both be the true symbols of a holy life.
But a personally believe the little things our aften more powerful, the little deeds of kindness.
In the Gospel of Luke, we've encountered the theme of faithfulness in small matters before.
The key takeaway is this: don't be fearful, but rather be faithful in even the smallest tasks. Remember this tomorrow and the days ahead and take every opportunity to do something small is a chance for great reward in the Kingdom of God.
Allow me to share a story from England during WWII about George VI, Queen Elizabth’s own father. (????) Once he visited a hotel. Upon hearing of the king's presence, all the staff stopped working to catch a glimpse of him.
However, the king slipped away unnoticed and found a woman tending to the kitchen garden. He asked her where the head gardener was, to which she responded that he, along with others, had left to see the king, but told her to stay and cut the herbs for the kitchen.
Impressed by her dedication, the king handed her a coin, a memento and instructed her to tell them she had seen the king because she remained faithful to her duty.
Let us also pray for the grace to remain steadfast in our responsibilities, to be faithful in the little things, just as this woman was.
And I hope that we too will not be distracted by either fear or the allure of recognition, but instead, find fulfilment in simply faithfully carrying out the tasks we have been gifted to do.