LUKE 19:11-27 WHEN HE RETURNS The people listening to Jesus after He passed through Jericho heard Him say, "This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." The Lord continued to speak linking the parable of the nobleman giving ten servants each a pound to use for him while he was gone, with the Son of Man seeking and saving the lost. The people were expecting the Lord Jesus Christ to establish the kingdom of restored Israel when He got to Jerusalem. The parable tells plainly the nobleman (the Lord Jesus Christ) was going away and when He returned, He would be a King. Each of the ten servants received a pound as an opportunity to show their ability as a trustworthy representative of the one who was absent. Those ten must have been able to act in His name to transact business for Him. During our Lord's absence He is expecting us to use what He has given us in ways that are consistent with His desire. We need to remember everything we do as servants of our Lord is a representation of Him to those who do not know Him.
There are many ways the people of the world express their hatred for the Lord. The Jews hated Him when He came unto His own people. His teaching of kingdom principles condemned their practices. They "received Him not." The Gentiles for the most part, mocked and tormented Him before they crucified Him. They just couldn't be bothered with Him. The similarity to the Herod who went to Rome to be made king by Caesar is quite obvious. Leading Jews made it clear to Caesar they would revolt if Herod wasn't removed. When Herod returned from Rome, he killed 3000 Jews in Judea who revolted against him. The Lord Jesus knew what the people as a whole and leaders in particular thought of Him. Yet in His grace, 3000 were saved ten days after He went away when He sent the Holy Spirit to come in blessing upon those same people. We do not need to suppose the message of the Gospel will ever be popular with the people of the world. It exposes sin and its consequences. It calls for repentance of sin to God and faith put in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. "Few there be that find it." The ideas and personal expectations people have does not change the message.
Between the time of the Lord's leaving and His coming again, we have this opportunity to use what He has given us for His benefit and glory. The day of accounting will come when we present to Him the results of what has been done for Him. The judgment seat of Christ will reveal what is behind all of the activities done in His name. When we use what God has given us as gifts to be used for Him, He enables us to accomplish His purpose through us. There is no evidence of special skill or unusual ability of one more than others. The results have to do with faithfully using what has been given to us. Whether the increase is nine for one or four for one isn't really the concern. God knows who we are and what we can do with what He has given us. When one is faithful with a little, the King will reward when He returns to give responsibilities to His own servants in His kingdom reign.
To not use what we have been given by our Lord is wickedness. Even a little service done for Him has the potential to honor and glorify Him. To not have an interest in the things of God prospering in our labor, indicates there is no interest in the coming King Himself. One may take the place of a servant but if one in their heart has determined the things of God are not my concern, that person is just like the citizens who hated the nobleman. If there is no love or honor for the Lord Jesus, no desire to see Him glorified and exalted, no concern for the future - that testifies that such a person is wicked. It is serious when one who claims to be a servant of God and faithful to the King, is only concerned for themselves and their own ideas about the kingdom of God.
When we have been made stewards of the things of God, we must remember that "it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." There are those that teach there is no coming kingdom of God. They say now is the time the King is reigning over spiritual Israel, the church. We must be careful to differentiate between that which is an illustration and what is really going to happen when Christ returns to take authority and reign in a future day.
Those who are enemies are still widespread throughout the world. Those citizens who hated Him then have been joined by many who hate Him now. When just judgment comes at the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the kingdom He has gone to receive will be a reality all over the world. "Jesus will reign where'er the sun, doth its successive journey's run." There will be real "peace on earth, and good will toward men." Those who reject Christ will not be part of that reign of the King. It is incumbent on us to faithfully use what He has given us in view of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We do not grasp the full import of all that happens each day. There are unseen influences that are affected by what I do and say. If from real love for Christ and a desire to see Him enthroned - I will commit to faithfully use what I sometimes call my own.
I know it is not really mine, it came from His own hand. He has passed it on to me to wisely invest as best I can - To bring spiritual dividends that will honor Him in the end - And will testify to faithful service as to how His trust I spend.
It is possible to waste what He gives on things that do not count. It is also possible to return to Him the very same amount - He gave me at the beginning because I did procrastinate - Leaving any opportunity to serve Him well until it was too late.
Foolishly I might be inclined to compare what I do with others. Each servant has what he needs the expectations of the Lord to cover. For me to pass a judgment on others based upon what I do Would leave me totally bankrupt when the labors of life are through.
"Little is much when God is in it," is more than the words of a song. There is a fundamental serving principle that keeps me from doing wrong. Opportunities are there when I seek them to serve God by serving men. Then when that time has past, doors are opened to serve him again.
I have no idea at all what the outcome of life's service will be. It is just up to me to be faithful, and when reckoning time comes, I will see - From eyes that are much clearer than mine what produced good dividends. My concern is to use now what He has given, and go to wherever He sends.
"Father of those who believe, sometimes it seems like I am not doing very much that is directly related to the outreach of the Gospel. But if in my daily life the things I learn or have learned can be beneficial to others in Thy service, then bless it I pray. Give Thy servant an opportunity to pass on in any way truth to encourage, build up and strengthen Thy people. Help me to be ready to pass on the Gospel when opportunities arise. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."