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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 4 - JESUS' MINISTRY DURING HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (Luke 9:51 - 19:27)
34. The Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27)
LUKE 19:11-27
11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
12 Therefore He said: A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ 15 And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ 19 Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. 21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’
22 And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas. 25 (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) 26 For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
27 But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’”
All the people of Jericho spoke about Jesus. Some of them honored him and most of them rejected him, for he ate with a sinner, and violated the customs of the lawyers. They did not understand his faithful love, nor did they wish this meek man to be their king, because he overstepped the traditions of the nation to be a king over them. They wanted a mighty king with sword and spear, not a merciful one reaching down to the weak and brokenhearted. So they hated and rejected him. They probably prayed to God in their hearts, saying, “O Lord, would that this Jesus might not become king over us!”
Some of them showed enthusiasm for Jesus and his power, thinking that the kingdom of God would come as soon as he had entered Jerusalem. By this parable Jesus made clear to his disciples that the coming of the kingdom would be too late. He also explained to his enemies that his kingdom would come in spite of their obstinacy, when he had ascended to his Father to receive the kingdom of the universe, the power of the Highest, and great glory.
His followers were like the ten servants to whom their master gave one pound each that they might do business while he was gone. He gave each equally the same amount, which indicates that Jesus had given each believer the same amount in forgiveness, grace, and power, that we might move, work, and serve not as masters dominating over others, but as faithful servants experienced in small matters. Jesus has given you small gifts; so what are you doing for him? Do you move, or sleep? Do you hate your Lord, or do you love him?
When the master was crowned king over his city, in spite of the people’s refusal, he came back late, and took his kingdom with one masterstroke. As such Jesus comes and reaps the entire world with one stroke. Then all nations will have to stand before his great throne and each one will give account for what he has done with the gifts deposited to him by God.
The faithful servants came joyfully, and presented their profits. The first had gained a great profit. Yet he did not say: “I have worked with prudence”, but testified to the power and ability of his master’s gift. We are not successful in ourselves and on the day of judgment, it is the power of our Lord that willed, by grace, that we should be made perfect in weakness. We can, through our slow hearts, stop the flowing of grace, but we cannot begin it and make it flow. It does everything good spontaneously in and around us, even in small services at home and in society, if we respond, and do not object to it.
The Lord said to the obedient, faithful servant, “Grace has worked in you. You became faithful in a very little, and obedient to the spiritual power by treating the poor and the helpless. Now I give you authority over ten states, not only over a hundred or thousand pounds, but also over millions and thousands. Your faithfulness and diligence in the way of grace qualify you to bear the responsibility of mercy over a large area. Christ gives his authority, power, and might to each humble and faithful worker so that his kingdom may come and grow through faithful services.
When the second faithful servant came to his master, he did the same as the first one. He made apparent not his own activity, but the power of grace alone. And Jesus gave him authority over five states in his kingdom, according to his faithfulness and diligence in small things. Did you know that, in his kingdom, God entrusts his faithful people with gradual, progressive jobs and services? Such authorization depends on the amount of our faithfulness, condescension, commitment, constant praying, and striving for faith. Do you tell people continually about Jesus, and care for their spiritual life? Do you distribute pamphlets rightly, and sacrifice your time continuously? Do you love your enemies and pray for your adversary?
Your zeal in the beginning of your services does not judge the fruit of grace in you, but your perseverance in small things, your faithfulness, and your patience bring about your success in the kingdom of your Lord.
The third servant was careless and lazy. He was afraid of the glory of his king, and had probably cooperated a little with the king’s enemies and hated him, for he had to serve him without any apparent reward. He was not free to live as he wished, so he hid the money of his lord and did not use it to gain by trading, as the other seven servants did. He took no care about it, forgot it, and lived indifferently. And when his master came back, he became disturbed, and then confessed his negligence openly. This confession did not help him, for he did not like the king and did not dare to use his gift. Therefore his withdrew the grace from him, and called him a wicked servant. He did not punish him with strokes, but took from him the mina he had recovered, and he became penniless. This lazy man wanted to remain neutral, keeping pace with his lord and the world, for and against God, and thus he lost all grace. Dear brother, do you fear God? Study and carry out his will. Do you realize your many gifts, the mind, muscles, money, strength, and time? Use them for the service of others, lest your Lord takes them from you. Do not forget that your prayers deposited in the bank of God’s love bring a great profit, and result in everlasting fruit.
He who does not work with loving service, becomes selfish and unfit for profitable service. In the kingdom of God, we find a fearful law with respect to the growth and deficiency of grace: he who is faithful in a very little becomes rich in Spirit, more gifted, and abundantly blessed; but he who serves two masters, and takes no care about the service entrusted to him, becomes lukewarm in his prayers, loses faith, and his love dies. Consequently he becomes empty, dead, and corrupt, judging himself by himself. Are you growing in maturity, or are you becoming deficient?
Jesus’ enemies will definitely suffer severe torment, for Christ is not only love, but also righteousness, holiness, and truth. Whoever refuses his love requires his judgment. The Merciful God is just and austere. He condemns his enemies without pity, consumes, and destroys them. The judgment of God will not immediately come, but it will become complete at the second coming of Christ. Then his glory results in grace for the faithful, and destruction for the selfish and lazy.
PRAYER: O Lord, thank you for the gifts with which you have favored me. All your favors are good, workable, and blessed. Guide me to serve you, and to respond to the drawing of your Spirit, that I may glorify you in the morning and evening. Appoint for every city and village a faithful praying servant that your kingdom may come.
QUESTION 116: What is the mystery of the growth and failure of gifts of grace in the kingdom of God?