Luke 19:11-27 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Luke 19:11-27. Let’s go!
Luke 19:11 (NIV)
11 While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.
On verse 11: Many people expected that when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem he would immediately establish himself as king over Israel and bring judgment upon those who oppose God. Little do they know that Jesus was entering Jerusalem to be betrayed, arrested and killed by his enemies, and that it would be a long time before Jesus would return as king and establish his kingdom. To help communicate the fact that Jesus would first have to go away for a while before returning as king, Jesus tells this famous parable in the verses that follow.
Luke 19:12 (NIV)
12 He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.
On verse 12: Jesus is that man of noble birth in the story who goes to a distant country (heaven) to assume his rightful place as king, and then to return to earth one day. Today in heaven Jesus reigns as king and one day the Bible says he will return to earth to establish his kingdom. This parable describes what we are to do as we await his return.
Luke 19:13 (NIV)
13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
On verse 13: According to some scholars, a mina was worth approximately 3 months’ wages. These minas represent the talents that Jesus has entrusted to every one of us his servants. He expects us to put those talents to work until the day he returns.
Luke 19:14-15 (NIV)
14 “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
15 “He was made king, however, and returned home…
On verses 14-15: No matter how much opposition and criticism he would endure on earth, nothing would stop Jesus from becoming king. Whether people like it or not, Jesus is king today. In the end, we have a choice: we can either submit to His kingship or we can die trying to fight it unsuccessfully. Instead of building your own kingdom, the best use of your life is to live for your king Jesus Christ.
Luke 19:15b (NIV)
15…Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
On verse 15b: One day each of us will give an account to God for what we did with what He gave us.
Luke 19:16-19 (NIV)
16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
17 “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
On verses 16-19: The first two servants were trustworthy stewards of the talents they were given, and thus the king put them in charge of much greater talents. Likewise, when we are faithful and trustworthy with the talents Jesus gives us on earth, Jesus will entrust us with even more in heaven.
What can we learn from this? God cares about what we do right now with what He gives us. How we manage our talents during our time on earth is a test for how much God will entrust to us when we get to heaven. So even in the smallest of matters that you are given to do, don’t take it lightly. Be faithful and trustworthy even in the smallest things; one day you will be in charge of much bigger things.
Luke 19:20-26 (NIV)
20 “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.
21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
22 “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?
23 Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
24 “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
25 “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
26 “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.
On verses 20-26: In this parable each of the servants were entrusted with the same amount: one mina. However, the first two servants who spoke had a vastly different attitude as compared to the third servant who spoke. Their vastly different attitudes led to vastly different results. The first two servants who spoke had a proactive, hard-working, can do attitude and this led them to multiply several times over what they were given. The third servant who spoke had a lazy, fearful, faithless attitude and did nothing with what he was given. Thus the master rebuked this third servant and took what he was given and gave it to the one who earned ten minas.
What can we learn from this? Jesus expects to see a return on his investment. There are those who do much with what they are given and those who will do nothing with what they are given. The difference is not so much in what they were given. The difference is in their attitude, their priorities, and their approach to life, service, work and the “little things”. May you and I always have a proactive, hard working, can do attitude so that we can maximize our effectiveness and fruitfulness for God.
Keep in mind that this parable is not talking about salvation, as if we could earn our way to heaven by our performance. Rather this parable is talking about how saved people are to conduct themselves while they are on earth.
Luke 19:27 (NIV)
27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them–bring them here and kill them in front of me.'”
On verse 27: The price for rejecting Jesus as king is nothing less than death. If we refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and king of our lives, we are not only rejecting Jesus but we are rejecting life itself.
King Jesus, since You are returning soon, may I do my best to be faithful and trustworthy with what You have given me. May You receive an excellent return on the investment You made in me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
