Luke 19:11-27
Q.1. What prompted Jesus to tell this parable? What is a ‘mina’? How might this parable apply today? – (Lk.19:11-13)
Previously, Luke recorded that Jesus had taken – … the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished (Lk.18:31). The disciples just did not get it (Lk.18:34). As they neared Jerusalem – … they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately (Lk.19:11). As did most Jews, they had grasped that their Messiah was coming to reign but had failed to see that He needed to be the Suffering Servant before He would reign. To address their confusion, Jesus shared a parable to explain the difference between these two upcoming events. After His resurrection, and just before His ascension, Jesus reiterated the same message (c.f. Lk.24:26-27, 46-47). Jesus told them that – A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return (Lk.19:12 c.f. Jn.14:1-3). The slaves were given ten minas (each worth about twenty-five shekels), to further his business – until I come back (Lk.19:13 c.f. Mt.28:19-20; Acts 1:6-8).
Q.2. When would the kingdom come? What did the nobleman expect in the intervening time? Does this still apply today? – (Lk.19:12-13)
Jesus, the Nobleman, was to go to a distant land to receive His kingdom … and then He would return. There would be a delay. This would give time for His servants to be involved in His mission before He came back. Every generation of believers since, has expected Jesus to return. We are all stewards of the Gospel, who will give our own account of the way we have sought to impact others for Him (c.f. 1 Pet.2:9-10; 3:15-16;4:7-11).
Q.3. What will happen when the nobleman returns? On what basis will He reward his servants? – (Lk.19:15-27)
When the Nobleman returned, He was keen to see how His servants had gone about His business – When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done (Lk.19:15). His response to the two who had been faithful, was to commend them, and to give them further responsibilities in His coming kingdom (Lk.19:16-19). However, the Nobleman harshly condemned the servant who had failed to even place His money in the bank. The small amount that the worthless servant had, was taken from him, and given to the most faithful servant (Lk.19:20-24). For us, that Day of Reckoning will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when our Nobleman will reward those who have faithfully served Him. (c.f. 1 Cor.3:10-15)
Q.4. Why did most of his citizens ignore his wishes? What did he do with those who rebelled against his reign? – (Lk.19:14 & 27)
Not all wanted to serve him – But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, `We do not want this man to reign over us’ (Lk.19:14). They hated him for his claims on their lives and refused to let him reign over them. Though the nobleman owned them, these servants turned against him and become his enemies. Their end was tragic – But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence (Lk.19:27). This is a challenge to all who claim to belong to Jesus (c.f. Mt.7:21-23).