Luke 19:11-28

Luke 19:11-28

11 While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. 13 “And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ 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, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. 16 “The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ 18 “The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ 19 “And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 “Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 “He said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 ‘Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’ 24 “Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 “And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’ 26 “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 27 “But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” 28 After He had said these things, He was going on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

God is a Judge.  We don’t like to think about this aspect of God.  We much prefer to think of God as our Father or a Shepherd.  He is all of these things and many more.  Knowing, loving and fearing God requires that we consider all the different aspects of who God is and what He requires of us.  In this parable, Jesus describes God as a nobleman who distributes responsibilities and then leaves for a period of time.  He then returns in order to judge the investments that were made.  The context tells us that the reason Jesus told this parable was because His disciples thought the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.  Jesus wants us to know that while we await His return, we are expected to make kingdom investments.  He has entrusted us with opportunities and abilities He expects us to invest for the kingdom.  When He returns these investments will be evaluated and rewarded

GOD DISTRIBUTES RESPONSIBILITIES: When the nobleman left to go receive a kingdom, he distributed an even amount of money to ten different administrators and then left.  After he left, there was a delegation from the city who did not want this man to return and reign over them anymore.  This delegation came after the nobleman and informed him of their decision and told him not to return.  There appear to be two types of people in this scenario: the administrators and the antagonists.  The interpretation of this parable seems to be that Jesus has left His disciples with the same job to do and equipped them with the same Spirit to accomplish that job.  We are all called to make disciples of all nations; that is the business of the Kingdom.  However, there are many in this world who live and will continue to live rejecting the Lord Jesus.  Other passages illustrate that each disciple in uniquely gifted.  This passage emphasizes that we are all similarly called and have all been given the Spirit of God to accomplish the mission to which we have been called.  Not matter what our gifts, opportunities and abilities, we are all expected to be engaged in the task of making disciples in all nations.   

GOD DETERMINES REWARDS: When the nobleman returned, the administrators were called to give an account of how they invested their resources.  The one who was able to take one mina and gain ten was put over ten cities.  The one who gained five was put over five cities.  The one who simply returned the one mina because he feared losing it and facing the wrath of the nobleman, was scolded and had the mina taken away and given to the one who had gained ten.  The principle that seems to be taught here is that God rewards faithfulness with responsibility.  Scripture tells us that our eternal destiny as believers is to rule and reign with Christ on the new earth.  We will not be floating on clouds playing harps; but ruling and reigning over nations.  This passage seems to indicate that our faithfulness in His kingdom today will be rewarded with greater responsibility in the eternal kingdom.  Those who are unfaithful will have lesser responsibilities and fewer opportunities or abilities for service in heaven.  What ruling and reigning with Christ in heaven entails is something we may not readily understand today but we can trust that it will be significant and desirable in eternity.

GOD DISPENSES RETRIBUTION: God will also deal with that group of people who did not want Him to reign over them.  There is a reality that everyone needs to understand.  God is King of kings and Lord of lords.  He is the only Sovereign of the universe.  It does not matter what people might want, think, prefer or accept.  God reigns over everyone and everything.  He is holy, just, loving, kind, gracious and merciful.  Through our sin all of us have rebelled against Him.  He loved us so much that He send Jesus to pay the price for our sin and He invites us to be reconciled to Him through faith and become one of His disciples or “administrators” in this parable.  When Jesus returns to establish His eternal kingdom, He will judge all men.  The “administrators” or His disciples will be rewarded according to their faithfulness but will all rule and reign with Him.  Those who rejected Him and refused to submit to His reign over Him will be judged in God’s wrath.  He will dispense retribution upon them for eternity.  All of us deserve this wrath, but because of His love and grace He has provided way for us to be forgiven, restored and even generously rewarded.  We must either submit to Him in faith or suffer His wrath.

APPLICATION: Remember that God is a just Judge to whom each of us much give an account.  He is the only Sovereign of the universe, so we are all dependent upon Him.  God expects us to be faithful to Him and will reward us accordingly.  Warn others about the coming judgment of God.  Be grateful for the forgiveness of Sin.