There were the ten lepers; the Blind Beggar; and of most recent repute, where Jesus and Zacchaeus saw "eye-to-eye;" Zacchaeus from the tree, and Jesus, as He was passing by, stopped, looked up and saw him. Each of these accounts saw someone healed and changed-forever. However, Jesus had the most important purpose to fulfill ahead of Him, thus He set His compass for Jerusalem.
What was that purpose?
The Jewish multitudes believed the Christ would be rescuing them from their enemies, the Roman captors. Having effected that fact, they felt the Christ would then set up the Kingdom of God.
Was this Jesus' purpose?
No.
His purpose would have far more reaching repercussions. His purpose was to provide all mankind with salvation; this was His rescue plan He would activate soon. The rescue was to save His human creatures from the consequences of their sin. He planned to bear that punishment upon Himself, on the cross.
Would these crowds accept Him?
As Jesus continues His journey to Jerusalem, He leaves Zacchaeus to his Jericho charity-giving. Along the way, Jesus does not want to lose a moment and once again, employs His all-time favorite, and tells a parable. This is a parable which touches rather pointedly to the crowds and the religious leaders.
Pause a moment, though, for a definition of 'a parable'. A parable is a simple story depicting every day life, told by Jesus to illustrate a point to teach a moral or spiritual lesson.
Do read Luke 19:12-14 to get the parable in its entirety. This parable was very close to what could and did happen in Jesus' time. There was a custom back then, that a person could go to a "distant country" to get a kingship. This potential king could go to the emperor of the time and ask to be made 'king' of a desired territory.
Rome was where this authority to rule was given out to whomever would serve as kings and governors. This actually happened in Judea where Jerusalem is located.
A very cruel and hated "Herod the Great" and his son, Archelaus, had jurisdiction here. A delegation did go to appeal this ruling that they could reign; however, without success.
Make a note here that in Jesus' parable it was "a man of noble birth" who was appointing himself as king. Yet the people still hated him.
Can you get a hint of what this parable is unfolding and illustrating to Jesus' hearers?
I believe Jesus was talking about Himself. The people follow the story well but maybe do not understand the nuances of the meaning.
As we know and will see more detail in some of the next chapters of Luke, the Jewish leaders hated Jesus and wanted to get rid of Him. Sure enough, they did.
Praise God, though, Jesus purpose was fulfilled. He earned our salvation. We can either accept or reject. No matter. Jesus is still King.
What about us?
What else can we learn?
In this parable the potential king gave talents (gold coins or minas) to different servants to invest and earn a profit. The servants with the ten and five minas, each earned profits and were accordingly awarded.
10 minas earned 10 more = in charge of 10 cities.
5 minas earned 5 more = in charge of 5 cities
Everyone given talents (minas) were expected to use them to earn (v.26).
So too, once we have made Jesus the King of our life, we should use our "talents". Whether you think you have literal talent, or money or possessions, we need to use what we do have, even if it's only one mina.
If you are not sure what your gift is, ask someone you trust: your parents, your spouse, pastor, youth pastor, or maybe even a godly teacher.
God gives good gifts. He may have given a person intelligence; our very breath is a gift. If for one second God takes His hand away, our breath would be gone. Use your breath, even, for Him. Sing His praises. All of these are our "minas" to use.
Look at what happened to the servant with the one mina. Not pleasant. Not that God will strike you dead. NO! However, you will miss out on blessing and growth in your spiritual life and relationship with Him.
With diligence, ability and capability, we all have twenty-four hours per day, to use what we have. God values diligence, faithfulness, commitment, etc, which equal "well done!" That is what the nobleman-king congratulated the 10-mina man with.
What will you do with your "minas"?
Think about how good God has been to you; saving you from your sins, indwelling you with His Holy Spirit, to help transform you and to use your talents for Him in furthering His kingdom. Store up treasure in Heaven.
How have you changed (like Zacchaeus did)? Refer to this link to refresh your memory (Get Out of the Tree, Immediately!). What are you doing with your "minas"?
Don't feel guilty if the answers to the above questions are: "I haven't transformed - much at all," or "I'm not doing anything with my "mina."" Tack on a 'yet'. That will make all the difference.
Be motivated, encouraged and compelled to move forward in gratitude to the Lord. Transform and invest those talents. We are almost to Heaven.
~ERC July 2020~
Based on Luke 19:11-27
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