As Jesus was nearing Jerusalem prior to the week of his crucifixion, our Lord spoke a parable “because they [his disciples] thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear” (Luke 19:11). The disciples eagerly anticipated that Jesus, their Messiah, would deliver them from Rome and establish his kingdom. They did not figure on Jesus being crucified though he had told them on more than one occasion. He indicated he would leave and return at a time appointed of the Father having received the kingdom. It was to this point, his departure and return, that he spoke a parable.
“He [Jesus] 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….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 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…And he saith unto him…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” (Luke 19:12-24).
There are a number of things that we should take to heart from this parable. First, there is an expectation of children of the kingdom to fruitful service. Our Lord endows to each one talents and abilities, as well as opportunities, and he expects us to use each and all of them for his glory while we wait for his return.
Second, there will be an honest and factual accounting of how each one has “profited” with that which was given to him. We should also note in this context that this reckoning is done on an individual basis. Each of the servants “came” before their Lord to testify of their labors. And, furthermore, as we saw in this parable, it will not be a time for offering excuses, just a plain setting forth of what was accomplished.
Third, note importantly that there will be reward or loss as each one stands before their Lord and gives account of their service. John seems to have had this in mind when he wrote to his audience “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (2 John 8).
Perhaps, the most significant teaching in this parable is that Christ is indeed coming back! Child of God, are you ready for his return?
From the Chaplain 