Luke 19:11-27

 Luke 19:11-27

This is the last event before the triumphal entry. There was already a movement that expected Jesus to begin his earthly Kingdom when He arrived in Jerusalem. There was a common belief that the Messiah would establish His kingdom at Passover. Jesus’ disciples had that wish or dream.  Jesus dispels that fantasy while making two points.  This parable was taken from the news of the day.  Archelous would fail in his attempt to gain the title king from the Romans. But Jesus would succeed in becoming King. Archelous would leave and go to the Romans and return without the title he wanted. Jesus would leave and when He returned He would come back as king to render judgment on both His servants and His opponents.

Here is the point for our time. Jesus will return! He will return as king confirmed in that position by God.   He will pass judgment on His servants for what they have done with His resources. And He will pass judgment on those who were unwilling to submit to His reign.  In this short parable we have a fairly complete picture of waiting and the end times.

Let us focus our attention on the unfaithful servant.  Is Jesus teaching salvation by works?  Not at all!  Rather Jesus is teaching that our stewardship of life and all that He gives us is an indication of our loyalty to Him.  The servant who held the money may have been hoping that the delegation opposing the king would be successful.  Should that happen he would find that he was a mina richer.  (A mina represents about 3 months wages).  The problem was this servant didn’t like or trust the new king even if he was part of the kings’ people.  

What we do with the resources and the life the Lord gives us says a lot more about my faith than any statement of doctrine, beliefs, or rituals.  Faithfulness is rewarded always, disloyalty no matter how carefully concealed is always discovered. 

“Lord, help me live every day, using what You have given to me, preparing for Your return. AMEN”