Servants of an Exiled King

Text

Luke 19:11–27 KJV 1900

And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Talents

Different gifts in the body. I love variety.

Different amounts: to whom much is given, much is required. Loveth little/much

Use what you have.

Develop what you have been given

Turns

In Luke’s account, all are given the same amount - one pound. What you have been given is not really relevant.

The amount is pretty substantial (about 100 days’ wages for a working man).

What has been given is a free gift.

It’s obvious that there is an expectation, though. The question is, what is the expectation?

THE REASON for the parable: because they were near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God should immediately appear. Jesus is appearing to address this expectation in the delivery of this parable.

THE CONCLUSION of the parable: to him that hath shall be given, and to him that hath not, from him shall be taken even what he has.