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Pastor Rene's Bible studies
Luke 19:11-27 (NIV) While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12 He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. `Put this money to work,' he said, `until I come back.' 14 "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, `We don't want this man to be our king.' 15 "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. Resemblances and Differences between the parable of the talents (Matt 25:14--30 and The parable of the pounds (Luke 19:11--27) Resemblances
The main character entrusts a sum of money to his servants.
When he returns, he calls them to account.
The first two servants who report are rewarded for their diligence, the third is punished for his negligence.
Differences
In the parable of the talents the amount is huge and the seravnts receive different amounts.
In that of the pound, the amount is small and each receive the same amount.
In the talents, there are two parties: the businessman and his servants. In the pounds there are three: the nobleman-king, the servants and the citizens.
The idea of a nobleman going abroad in quest of a kingdom is absent from the parable of the talents
REASONS OF THE PARABLE- V. 11
3 sets of lessons
12 He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.
Christ is using a parable to tell that he himself, the nobleman, after his sufferings and death, would ascend to the Father in Heaven. The Father will reward the Son for his work of redemption. Jesus would sit at the Father's right hand. He would receive rulership over the whole universe, his kingdom and his church was to be set up for him in the world. He would fill the church with his fulness when the Spirit was poured out.
From heaven he would return after a long but indefinite time "the far country".
Matt 25:5 (NIV) The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
Matt 25:19 (NIV) "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
Luke 12:45, "My master is taking a long time in coming."
13 So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. `Put this money to work,' he said, `until I come back.'
The noble man wished to test his servants.
OCCUPY TILL I COME
Do business with these until I come
Put this money to work.
But his subjects hated him-
Jesus is making clear that there are always these ennemies who rejects and opposed his rulership.
Their attempt to prevent the noble man from receiving the kingdom failed
Two faithful servants
15 "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16 "The first one came and said, `Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 17 "`Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. `Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' 18 "The second came and said, `Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19 "His master answered, `You take charge of five cities.'
To the second servant, Jesus does not say "good servant" maybe because he felt he had not deserved it. He had done well, was splendidly rewarded, but he might have done more.
1Tim 3:13 (NIV) Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
1Tim 5:17 (NIV) The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
Prov 27:18 (KJS) Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
He who serve the Lord well in this life even under disgrace, adversity and persecution will reign with Christ in the other life.
The third servant
20 "Then another servant came and said, `Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21 I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'
22 "His master replied, `I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' 24 "Then he said to those standing by, `Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'
His punishment is very different from that of the ennemies. It is deprivation. It will bring regret and loss. Instead of 10 or 5 cities, he sees himself even losing his little pound. What a shame…
V. 23,
Why then didn't you put my money on deposit…The Lord's image of the bank, is that no Christians can find an excuse of not using his pound and justify inactivity or uselessness, but instead there will always be opportunities for everyone who is willing to use his talent in a humble way
27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them--bring them here and kill them in front of me.'"
One false assumption is that when the kingdom of God apper the Jewish nation will submit to it.
Whoever will not be under the grace of Christ will be under the wrath of God.
