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Wednesday 19 November
Luke 19:11-28
11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12So he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. 13He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds,* and said to them, Do business with these until I come back. 14But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, We do not want this man to rule over us. 15When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. 16The first came forward and said, Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds. 17He said to him, Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities. 18Then the second came, saying, Lord, your pound has made five pounds. 19He said to him, And you, rule over five cities. 20Then the other came, saying, Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow. 22He said to him, I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest. 24He said to the bystanders, Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds. 25(And they said to him, Lord, he has ten pounds!) 26I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over thembring them here and slaughter them in my presence.
28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Jesus constant references to the kingdom and his talk of salvation coming today (e.g. Luke 19:9) might well have led his Jewish listeners to conclude that the coming of Gods kingdom was imminent, that Roman rule would be abolished and that Jesus himself would be crowned king.
Through a parable, Jesus explained that he would suffer rejection and that he would be going far away for a period of time (this refers to the time between the ascension and the second coming). The image Jesus used was probably familiar to his audience, since both Herod the Great and his son Archelaus had to go to Rome in order to receive the right to rule Judea (and in doing so both ensured the kingdom was safely under their control).
Jesus began his public ministry with these words: the kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15). With the coming of Jesus, Gods kingdom was inaugurated, but it has not yet come in its fullness. That is why we continue to pray, Thy kingdom come. Even after the resurrection, when questioned about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, Jesus responded that only the Father knew dates and times. He focused instead on the disciples role as witnesses in proclaiming the good news and spreading the kingdom. Despite unpopularity and even persecution, the kingdom of God will come and Jesus will return as a triumphant King, so that the main thrust of the parable is the role that Jesus followers must play during his absence.
Todays parable is not just about developing our talents, but also demonstrates that our work on earth is linked to the coming of Gods kingdom. Salvation is not just a ticket to heaven. We are saved in order to serve. As Jesus disappeared into the clouds and the disciples stood staring at the sky, the angels demanded, why do you stand looking into heaven? (Acts 1:11). As we await Jesus return in glory, we are called to continue the work of Jesus by active service in his kingdom (Acts 1:8). Whatever we have received is not to be selfishly or lazily hoarded, but generously and energetically invested in the lives of those in need. Then the kingdom will grow, and the Master will be pleased and proud of his faithful servants.
Your kingdom come, Lord, in its fullness, and until it does, help me faithfully to do your will.
Luke 19:11-28
11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12So he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. 13He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds,* and said to them, Do business with these until I come back. 14But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, We do not want this man to rule over us. 15When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. 16The first came forward and said, Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds. 17He said to him, Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities. 18Then the second came, saying, Lord, your pound has made five pounds. 19He said to him, And you, rule over five cities. 20Then the other came, saying, Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow. 22He said to him, I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest. 24He said to the bystanders, Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds. 25(And they said to him, Lord, he has ten pounds!) 26I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over thembring them here and slaughter them in my presence.
28 After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Jesus constant references to the kingdom and his talk of salvation coming today (e.g. Luke 19:9) might well have led his Jewish listeners to conclude that the coming of Gods kingdom was imminent, that Roman rule would be abolished and that Jesus himself would be crowned king.
Through a parable, Jesus explained that he would suffer rejection and that he would be going far away for a period of time (this refers to the time between the ascension and the second coming). The image Jesus used was probably familiar to his audience, since both Herod the Great and his son Archelaus had to go to Rome in order to receive the right to rule Judea (and in doing so both ensured the kingdom was safely under their control).
Jesus began his public ministry with these words: the kingdom of God is at hand (Mark 1:15). With the coming of Jesus, Gods kingdom was inaugurated, but it has not yet come in its fullness. That is why we continue to pray, Thy kingdom come. Even after the resurrection, when questioned about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, Jesus responded that only the Father knew dates and times. He focused instead on the disciples role as witnesses in proclaiming the good news and spreading the kingdom. Despite unpopularity and even persecution, the kingdom of God will come and Jesus will return as a triumphant King, so that the main thrust of the parable is the role that Jesus followers must play during his absence.
Todays parable is not just about developing our talents, but also demonstrates that our work on earth is linked to the coming of Gods kingdom. Salvation is not just a ticket to heaven. We are saved in order to serve. As Jesus disappeared into the clouds and the disciples stood staring at the sky, the angels demanded, why do you stand looking into heaven? (Acts 1:11). As we await Jesus return in glory, we are called to continue the work of Jesus by active service in his kingdom (Acts 1:8). Whatever we have received is not to be selfishly or lazily hoarded, but generously and energetically invested in the lives of those in need. Then the kingdom will grow, and the Master will be pleased and proud of his faithful servants.
Your kingdom come, Lord, in its fullness, and until it does, help me faithfully to do your will.
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