Responding to the Commands of the King

Open: Professor McDill assigned the class to submit an entire year’s preaching calendar for part of our grade. He gave the assignment at the beginning of the semester, had it included in the syllabus, and stressed the importance. He did not bring it back up during the semester. Several of the students did not have it done at the end of the semester. Their stated reason was that he had not mentioned it again, or reminded us that it was coming due.

Transition: It is easy to put things off. The further away the due date, the easier it is to let things slide. Putting important projects off is not wise, and the consequences will appear. In a school setting, a student can take a chance that the assignment won’t be called for, or that her overall grade is high enough to take the hit.

While that may work in an educational setting, it doesn’t work in the spiritual realm. Unfortunately, many people have the false idea that a final accounting may not come, or even if it does, they are going to do well, regardless of any spiritual investment of their own.

In this 2nd Easter message we are going to look at a Parable Jesus told that illustrates the danger of this type of thinking. He gives clear expectations for His servants in this story, and we would be wise to hear what Jesus is saying.

READ the Text: Luke 19:11-27.

The King has decreed that there will be a time of stewardship during the time between the two Advents of Jesus (Luke 19:11-12)

Explanation: Jesus is moving towards His final destination of Jerusalem. He had repeated the news of His soon to be suffering and death, but in view of His miracles (healing the blind man - Luke 18:35-43) and His transformation of Zaccheus (Luke 19:1-10), that news had faded into the background. The people had an expectancy that their Messiah was about to take charge! Jesus was approaching the capital city of Jerusalem, and Luke informs his readers that the crowd thought He was going to take the throne of David and restore their Kingdom, and to do it immediately (v. 11)

Jesus puts the brakes on the timing through His telling of this Parable of the 10 Minas. Because of their misplaced expectations as to the timing of the Kingdom, Jesus tells them a story that involves a nobleman who goes away for a time before He returns to begin His actual reign. The nobleman in the parable represents Jesus, so it is clear that He will establish a Kingdom. The Kingdom, however, will not be thoroughly implemented until He leaves for a period of time. Jesus does not give a specific time of His return (cf. Luke 19:13 - “until I come”), but He does declare that He will return.

“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN” (John 14:2-3)

Argument: The Jews of Jesus’ day were anticipating a Messiah to arrive and set up an earthly kingdom. Even though the prophets were given the message of the Messiah’s suffering and humiliation (the Cross) along with the prophecies of the Messiah’s reign, they failed to see two separate Advents. During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught them about His going away and then returning. The entirety of the NT was written after the Cross and each of the writers brings out this delay between the Advents. We who are on this side of the Cross recognize the two Advents of Jesus because we live in the time between. We live in the already / not yet. Our King is on the Throne now; Jesus is Lord now; and He is currently reigning over the Universe. Yet, He will return and set up another dimension of His Kingship and the Kingdom will be consummated and fully established at His return.

1 Corinthians 15:22–25 KJV 1900

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

Application: The King is coming. Do not lose heart at the delay. Just as sure as He came in the 1st Advent, so He will most assuredly return. Our part is to anticipate the Blessed Hope

Titus 2:13 KJV 1900

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Each Believer is given the same stewardship of responsibility in terms of the Gospel (Luke 19:13)

Explanation: The nobleman gives instructions to his servants regarding his expectation for them during his absence. He calls in 10 of his servants (representing the entire group) and gives each of them a mina. According to the Lexham Bible Dictionary, a mina is equivalent to about 3 month’s of wages. He then instructs them to “occupy until I come.” After giving the servants the needed resource, the nobleman departs for the far country.

Another way of stating the command would be, “engage in business until I come.” This gives a better sense of the Master’s expectation. His expectation was for each of his servants to be productive. He expected them to use what he given them

Argument: This is not a teaching on differing gifts and talents. This teaching is focused on individual believers investing the Gospel message in others. The Gospel is the same for each person, regardless of gender, giftedness, socio-economics, or ethnicity. Every Christ-follower has a responsibility to invest in the lives of others. This leads us to the next point:

Believers will be judged for our stewardship of the Gospel (Luke 19:15-19)

Explanation: Upon the King’s return an accounting of the stewardship is given. The King calls in the servants and He asks for an accounting. The 1st servant reports that he used the one mina and invested it so that it gained 10 more minas. The King is pleased and commends the 1st servant, and rewards him by giving him authority over 10 cities. The reward is incredible in relation to the original mina.

Illustrate: A waitress in Salisbury, Mass received a $5,000 tip on meal that cost $157 (Feb 3, 2020) [https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/waitress-gets-5000-tip-billionaire-challenge-gone-viral/SDSV3O4SPVAQ5IAYAL5IWNUQOM/ - accessed on 3/22/2023]

The second servant is called in to give his account. The 2nd servant informs the King that he invested his mina and it gained an additional 5 minas. The King rewards this servant by giving him authority over 5 cities. Again, the reward is phenomenal in comparison to what was originally given.

The difference in the yields is due to the activity of the individual servant. They each started with the same resource, but the 1st servant engaged in more opportunities, which resulted in a greater reward. Both rewards , however, are extremely gracious

Application: We are given discretion in how and where we invest our time. Jonathan Edwards resolved to acquire as much treasure in Heaven as he could. He based this desire on Jesus’ instruction: “Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven” (Matt 6:20)

Others will be condemned for their lack of stewardship (Luke 19:20-26)

Explanation: The text indicates that “another came” to give an accounting. This person is not described as a servant, and Jesus later calls him a “wicked servant” (v. 22). This one did nothing with what had been given to him. His reason for doing nothing was based on fear of the nobleman. He accuses the Master of thievery and injustice.

Illustrate: Dave and I were given tasks to accomplish during the week while Dad was back in Warner Robbins. He came home on most Friday nights. On the occasions when we failed to complete the tasks, mom had us stand in the driveway so we could give an explanation to dad as to why we did not do what had been clearly stated.

Argument: Most conservative scholars do not think this person represents a genuine believer. He has no interest in the coming Kingdom and he has a bad view of the Master. The text also indicates the King condemned him - which fits the idea that he isn’t a believer (cf Matt 7:22-23)

The King has the other servants remove his mina and give it to the 1st servant. Jesus then gives a Kingdom principle of reaping and sowing that reveals the hearts of His followers. To those that have, more will be added, but those who do not have, even that will be taken away (v. 26)

Conclusion:

For the Believer: Trust in the sure promise of God. We may be surprised at the length of time between the Advents, but God is not. The reality of His 1st Advent gives assurance to His Return.

Engage in Kingdom business until He comes or calls us home. Invest in as much heavenly treasure as possible.

For the deceived Church member - examine your life. If there is zero interest in Kingdom matters, ask God to reveal the truth of your relationship with Him. There will be a judgment in which the truth will be revealed.

For the ones who despise Christ: There are those who have no desire to be ruled by Christ. I glossed over v. 14 earlier, but it is in the text and it represents such people. The majority of the Jews of Jesus day fit in with v. 14, and they were not overlooked by the Master. He deals with them by calling them in, naming them as His enemies, and having them slain in His presence. [Historically this took place in AD 70 when hundreds of thousands of Jews were slaughtered by the Romans]

Physical death is one thing to face, but these also face the wrath of a holy God. These are the ones we pray for and invest in through the power of the Gospel.