Day 518: As servant or enemy? - Luke 19 vs 11 - 28

11 As they heard these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12-13 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas [about three month's wages], and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14  But  his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 

15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.  16-19 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’  And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 

20-22 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22-23 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24-25 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’  And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26-27 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. Luke 19:11-28 English Standard Version

There are some difficult parts of this parable which are best understood only if we remember the reason why Jesus told it. What was that? (vs 11)

There was a large and growing expectation among the crowds who followed Jesus that he was heading to Jerusalem to be crowned as the king who would bring the glory days of King David back to Israel. The parable showed this wasn’t about to happen in the way they were thinking. It's first purpose therefore was to teach that while they waited for the Kingdom to arrive, they were to serve the one who had gone away to receive it. Those who served faithfully with what was entrusted to them would be generously rewarded. Those, however, who thought ill of the King and his character, and didn’t faithfully serve him in his absence, would be dealt with as they deserved. But who else was addressed in this parable? (vs 14)

While there were those willing to serve the King while he was away, there were also those who wanted nothing to do with him. This surely referred to the nation as a whole who would soon be calling for Jesus to be crucified, and the many who would reject the gospel when the apostles began to preach it to them. That's why the words of vs 26-27 are so harsh. It is meant to convey a picture of severe judgment.

It made me think of the apostle Paul's words to Christians at Corinth of when he said: “All of us must appear before Christ, to be judged by him. We will each receive what we deserve, according to everything we've done, good or bad, in our bodily life. We know what it means to fear the Lord, and so we try to persuade others.” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11) It's not so much a judgment of whether we are saved or lost, but a revealing of how we served Christ, or fell short in serving Him, in this life. The apostle Peter says that this judgment actually starts already through trials God permits in our life to discipline us. He said: “It is time for judgement to begin at the household of God.” But then he adds: “And If it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)