Saved or Lost Opportunities. Luke 19:11-27 Significantly, the Lord Jesus Christ taught the parable of the pounds (minas) at that specific time and place in Jericho. Zacchaeus had just joyfully welcomed Jesus and openly demonstrated the evidence of his true conversion. Blind Bartimaeus was no longer blind, nor was he begging. Both of them served as clear, living proof of Jesus Christ's divine authority over both physical and spiritual ailments. He was close to Jerusalem, and the people expected Him to assert authority over the nation and defeat the Romans. Instead, He shared His expectations with them.
Whether a servant of the Lord is rich or poor, according to our ability, what has been entrusted to us by Him is expected to be used by us for the benefit of God's kingdom and to bring glory to our King. It is only right for us to take full advantage of the opportunities that arise. To further His interests and the purposes of God's kingdom is a privilege and an honor. Failing to do what that entails risks losing everything, and resisting doing what He wants shows that we don’t even belong in His kingdom. Doing nothing is to disobey our Lord.
Two of Herod the Great's sons traveled to Rome to try to claim the title of king over parts of Israel. Kingship could only be granted by Roman authority; usually, Caesar himself would make this decision or refuse it. Both of them were denied kingship, as were the “tetrarchs” over certain territories, although some Jews still considered them kings. One of these sons had a winter residence in Jericho, so the story Jesus told about the nobleman who went to gain a kingship would have been familiar to them. With that context, the Lord explained His own kingdom and what was about to happen. Near Jerusalem, His followers expected Him to establish His earthly kingdom immediately and to free them from Roman rule.
Through this parable, Jesus indicated that what He described would not happen immediately. He would go far away, and when He returned, He would come back as the King. The ten servants to whom the nobleman in the parable gave ten minas were those expected to serve the king's interests and generate a profit for Him when He returned as the King. Those who hated Him made it clear they would not accept Him as their king. This illustrates how the Lord foretold His rejection by the Jews in Jerusalem. The kingdom is real, but it is not established on earth as a nation yet. When He returns as King of kings, there will be peace on earth for a thousand years.
This attitude had been clear to some extent throughout the three years of Jesus’ ministry among those in authority. All the blessings they had received from the Lord as a nation, the Jews had taken for granted as if they deserved them, and they believed He was obligated to give them what they wanted. They desired a conquering king who would do their bidding, not obedient citizens who would follow His guidance. That is the attitude of most people today. They want a God who will do what they want when they want, but they do not want to serve Him.
This parable explores two themes. One is the timing of the kingdom of God and when it will become a national identity under the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ as King. Citizens of the kingdom of God wait and watch for the Lord's return with confidence in His promise to come again. When the King returns, the entire world will recognize Him for who He truly is. The second theme focuses on the responsibilities of disciples in the kingdom of God and the reward for those who use the opportunities given to love the King by bringing Him glory and honor.
This part of the parable seems to be the main theme, although what will happen soon at Jerusalem when Jesus goes there and is rejected will occur in the future when He reigns. Between those two comings of Christ, which serve as bookends to our current time, servants are given what is needed to build and increase the kingdom's value and influence. We have been provided with the necessary resources so that each servant in God's kingdom has the opportunity to use what we have for Him. Doing so will honor Him, and we will not lose the reward He chooses to give to those who love and remain loyal to Him. Faithfulness to the Master will be praised. Unfaithfulness, for any reason, is disobedience.
The servant who earned ten minas represents those whose ability and faithful service earn them a leadership role in the future kingdom on earth. Success levels may differ, and rewards will correspond to the effort and skill of the servants. In the future kingdom, there will be various levels of privilege and responsibility. People will not follow others blindly; each person's capacity determines their responsibility and privilege.
Many today and in the future resemble the “wicked servant” who wants others to believe they serve God but do not truly love the Lord. They blame God for His strict standards of righteousness and justice in an attempt to justify their own failures. They try to argue that their good works are enough and that God should accept them based on what they think and do, rather than for who they really are.
The wicked servant had no love for the king at all. He even accused his master of dishonesty and then returned the mina he had received to the king, acting as if he was more honest than the king. He shared the same spirit as the other seven who said they “would not have this man to reign over us,” even though they had benefited from the king. Those were enemies of the king, and because of that, they were slain.
We understand that nothing will change the fact that Christ will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. God has ordained this. He promised it to the patriarchs, and through Him, all nations of the earth will be blessed. Members of God's church hold a higher honor because we are connected to our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, much like a bride is connected to her bridegroom. We will share our lives in union with Him in a personal way. Ruling over cities will be the role of others who believe in Him from His earthly nation.
Faithful service will be rewarded, even though the place we have and the work we do will differ from that of the children of Israel who remained faithful to the Lord during the tribulation. The unique relationship believers today have and will continue to have is that we are “in Christ” and will live and reign “with Him.”
An important principle to remember is that a dedicated disciple of the Lord must be responsible for using the gifts God has given them. We are not independent, as if we have no accountability for our actions. Our service during this period of grace falls between the rejection described in this parable—His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His ascension—and the time when He comes for the church.
He has provided us with everything necessary to build and advance God's kingdom in our generation. The gifts from God are intended to support the work and growth of His kingdom. We must be diligent, not neglectful, in using what our Lord Jesus has placed in our hearts and hands for His work.