While they were listening to him, 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. He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
“But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
“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.”
(verses 11-15)
-
Jesus has just extended welcome and salvation to Zacchaeus, following it with a clear statement of his ongoing purpose and mission: “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
But the listening crowd has other priorities in mind. Knowing he’s on his way to Jerusalem, they hope he is indeed Messiah, and they fully expect he will immediately establish an earthly kingdom of God upon his arrival. Anticipation is building.
So, Jesus refocuses expectations. He tells a story. In it, a man born to be king goes on a long journey to a distant country in order to be crowned, in order to commence his rule. Already Jesus is stretching the timeline. Yes, the fullness of his reign is coming, but not immediately. For those aligning themselves with the kingdom, the necessary understanding is that it’s a commitment for the long haul.
The man who will be king entrusts resources into the hands of each of his servants – each gets one “mina,” the equivalent of one hundred days’ wages. Not a huge amount, but enough. In another of Jesus’ parables – the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) – each servant was apportioned a different quantity of assets. Some had more and some had less. But this story is different – each servant receives exactly the same allotment; each receives an identical kingdom commission. The expectation is that each will use what has been given in order to carry out the master’s purposes, to further his heart’s desire.
We’re not told how long the master is away, but it’s ample time for each to fulfill the master’s desire. An accounting now takes place. Each one brings forth his earnings. The first has multiplied the one mina, turning it into ten. The second has produced five. Each of these is commended. Each is given further opportunity for responsibility and growth and engagement in the kingdom.
But one of the servants has done nothing. He’s simply hidden his mina away, fearful of failure and unwilling to attempt furtherance of the kingdom. This servant is condemned – he could have simply invested his resource to earn interest. But he didn’t. His single, unmultiplied mina is taken away.
The story ends on an extremely harsh note – the citizens who had rejected the kingship of the master are executed in his presence.
What are we to make of it all? Here’s what comes to mind:
· The fullness of the kingdom – when Jesus reigns decisively over all – is yet in the future. Be patient.
· Right now, be productive for the Master. Faithfully carry out his purposes. He intends to seek and to save the lost. How good. Engage with him.
· There is grief for those servants who don’t. They are still part of the kingdom. Jesus still holds them firmly in his hand (John 10:28). But their opportunity to joyful engage in the Master’s purposes will have been lost.
· Worse, the consequence for those who reject Jesus is disastrous. The story’s horrific ending simply communicates the eternal finality. Connecting rightly with Jesus is a matter of life and death.
Such a simple story. So full of consequence. Don’t miss it.
-
Lord Jesus, I choose to embrace you as king. I bend my knee. My tongue confesses you as Lord. Strengthen me by your Spirit to fulfill the kingdom work you have given me. All to your glory.
-
Reflect:
If you are a follower of Jesus, you have received a commissioning in the kingdom. What is the Lord asking you to do? What further step do you need to take?
-
Photo by Caleb Lucas on Unsplash
Comentários