#1419 Luke 19 Part 2 Invested

 

11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’” Luke 19: 11-27 ESV

Luke 19: 11-27 Minas

As they heard these things - What things? Well, we just finished the story of Zacchaeus, which Christ rounded out by telling the people that the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. He is still heading toward Jerusalem where He will give His life to save those He came seeking. There is still a Messianic buzz about Him, especially when He references Himself as, "Son of Man", because He is the rightful heir to the earthly throne of David, and many are longing for the establishment of this. 

Do not confuse this parable of the minas (found only in Luke) with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, which was given several days later in the middle of passion week and had different details and a different application (see summary). While there are some similarities between the two parables, the major difference is that the talents (a unit of money much greater than a mina) represent abilities much like our English word talent speaks of abilities, as with a "talented" individual. As discussed below most commentators agree that the "mina" in this parable speaks not of ability but of a common deposit of the Gospel which is shared equally by all of God's servants. As the parable in Luke unfolds, Jesus tells of a nobleman who is going away to receive a kingdom from someone with higher authority and will return to rule over that kingdom. While he is gone, he gives his servants money with which to do business and gain a profit that demonstrates their faithfulness as well as their respect and love for him. Upon the nobleman's return, all the servants will be evaluated for what they did with his funds. This is the gist of the story, and what is fascinating is that this parable is based on or at least has similarities to a historical event about which most of the Jews of Judea (Green area on map) would have been familiar.

The following discussion summarizes the detailed account by Josephus of the historical event which had occurred in Jerusalem and Judea some 30 years prior (click here for more on this story of intrigue). When Herod the Great died, he left his reign in the hands of three people: Philip, Herod and Archelaus. Archelaus (mentioned in Mt 2:13-21, 22, 23) was to rule over Judea but in order to be proclaimed king he had to go to Rome and have Caesar approve his kingship. However, before he was able to make this trip, there was an demonstration by Jews at the Temple who were mourning the killing of some of their religious leaders by Archelaus' recently deceased father, King Herod. When Archelaus sent a general accompanied by some soldiers to quell the Jews, the Jews turned and stoned the soldiers and returned to their sacrifices as if nothing had happened! In reaction, Archelaus ordered Roman soldiers to invade the Temple with the result that 3000 Jews were killed. Archelaus then sent heralds throughout Jerusalem announcing that the Passover feast was cancelled. Archelaus quickly sailed for Rome to get Caesar's approval of his kingship, but there he was opposed by his brother Antipater (who had been recently removed from his father Herod's will) and a group of dissident Jews protesting his killing of 3000 countrymen. Because of this resistance to Archelaus, Caesar would only grant him the title of "ethnarch" (ruler over an ethnic group) and not the title of king, which he would have to earn, but never did, eventually being deposed and banished in 6 AD because of his continued cruelty. Herod the Great had made a similar journey to Rome where he was crowned King of Judea in 40 B.C., although he was not able to claim his kingdom until 37 B.C.. - Precept Austin

To receive for Himself a kingdom and then return - Historically, and very recently, the people had a notion of what that looked like physically in the story of Archelaus above. Jesus is using familiar imagery to show that He must leave as He has been saying. He is going to Jerusalem to pay the price for His kingdom, to buy out from slavery those who are lost. He will die, rise from the dead, and then leave His followers with a commission to protect and proclaim the gospel until He returns. He is going to the right hand of the Father, going to His inauguration as King, having the title of ownership taken back from sin and the present ruler of this age, and handed over to Christ. 

…9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.… Philippians 2: 9-11

20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1: 20-23

…6who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen. 7Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him— even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.… Revelation 1: 6-8

Engage in business until I come - Unlike the talents in another parable, each of these 10 receives the same, a Mina. It is the approximate equivalent of 3 months wages. This would test them, would prove them out, in their loyalty and usefulness. Notice they are given what belongs to Him in order to multiply it. 

…9Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. 11If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.… 1 Peter 4: 9-11

Steven Cole - Again, we must distinguish this parable from the parable of the talents, which teaches a different lesson. That parable shows that different servants have been given different abilities, and that the danger is for the person with relatively smaller ability to do nothing. This parable shows that every servant has been given the same gift and that the difference in results is not due to differing gifts, but to differing levels of diligence in using the gift.The fact that each of ten servants received a mina shows that it was not just the twelve apostles who were in view, but rather, God’s servants in general. Thus the parable is not directed just to those in leadership, but to all of Christ’s subjects. The fact that each was given the same amount shows that it is not referring to differing gifts, but to something that all followers of Christ share in common, namely, the Word of God and in particular, the central message of that Word, the gospel. We all have been given the same gospel and we are told to do business with it for our King during His absence. If you do not possess the gospel as your own, you are not a Christian, no matter how often you attend church. A Christian has heard the good news that Jesus Christ is the Savior of sinners and has personally believed that good news as his own. In other words, a true Christian does not just believe in a general sense that Jesus is the Savior. He believes it in a personal sense, that Jesus is my Savior. He died for my sins. When I stand before God and He asks, “Why should I let you into heaven?” my only plea will be, “Because I have trusted in Your Son Jesus who shed His blood in my place on the cross.” If you have personally believed that message, then the Gospel has been entrusted to you. And it has not been entrusted to you just for you to treasure for yourself. (Doing Business for Jesus) - Precept Austin

But His citizens hated Him - This was true of Jesus, and it hearkens back to Isaiah, "despised and rejected of men", the Prophet Who was without honor amongst His own people. Remember, He came to seek and to save the lost, and most of Israel couldn't see themselves as lost. The ego is a horrible thing, only those that come to see themselves as dead in their trespasses and sins will ever look so fondly on a Savior. Israel wanted a different sort of hero.

Your mina has made ten more minas - Sweet, short, humble, "it's your money, and look what it has grown into." The gospel is God's redemptive story, and what will you do with it?

You shall have authority over ten cities - He was faithful with something small, something that had also been given to others. This was the proving ground, the testing and growing of his faith. I have met with Jesus, studied Jesus, now proclaim Jesus.

26 ‘He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the 1nations;

27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father;

28 and I will give him the morning star.

29 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 2: 26-29

I was afraid of you because you are a severe man - Fear is only the beginning of knowledge, and this reminds us of God walking through the garden. Prior to the fall there was peace, love, community between God and man.

…6The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.… Romans 8: 6-8

Reap what you did not so - It's Your fault God, "the woman You made gave me the fruit and I ate", if You wouldn't have made her then we wouldn't be having this awkward conversation. I wouldn't feel naked and exposed. He sewed a mina with this man. He has every right to harvest whatever He likes from His creation. He spoke it into being, including this man. He placed our parents in a garden with a simple command, not to eat of the fruit of that one tree. He gave the boundaries, and even here with the minas, the king did not require 10, but was pleased with the five as well. Now the king is being accused of being a thief, though it was His seed, His land, and in the case of Christ, we are His creation. 

Why then did you not put my money in the bank - That was too much trouble, I suppose, he couldn't be bothered. Maybe he resented his master and thought he didn't want him to prosper any more. Look how little would have been acceptable though. You could have put it in a low interest earning savings account, and that would have been better. 

Lord, he has ten minas - People can't stand someone getting more. The king didn't forget that the other guy already had 10, no, he knew the guy with 10 is the better investment, and who are you to question him about his money? The man with one was a terrible steward, spending more time on excuses than on investing. He only looked after himself, and in the end ruined himself.

…8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8-9

Even what he has will be taken away - The word of God is given to us, let it not be a brief examination. Let us read, study, and proclaim the word of God. The wicked servant did not truly know his Master, for that would be to love Him. An acquaintance is different than a friend. Jesus told them He was going, but He is also telling them that He is coming back, and will judge.

7For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. 9Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.… 2 John 1: 7-9

Who did not want me to reign over them - They wanted Him crucified instead. Later they would even remark that Caesar was their choice.

…34Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town. 35And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.… Matthew 23: 34-36

…14It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” 15At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests. 16Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away.… John 19: 14-16