Friday in the Twenty-Second Week of Ordinary Time

Luke 19:11-27

Until He Comes

The excitement over Jesus was beginning to reach fever-pitch.  We will see this excitement and great anticipation tomorrow as Jesus enters Jerusalem and the people sing his praises: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”  The people thought that the Kingdom of God had arrived and King Jesus would bring a new state of affairs for everyone.  They would soon be disappointed and turn on the one they carried aloft with praises.  So Jesus tells them a parable just before entering Jerusalem, just before the commencement of his final week of life and the inauguration of the invisible Kingdom, which fulfillment will one day come in radiant splendor for all to see, which is precisely what they wanted to see at that moment.  Jesus warns them that such a visible manifestation of the Kingdom is not now to be experienced, for there is yet work to be done.

Such is the setting for the parable of the minas, similar to the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).  A nobleman goes away to receive a kingdom.  Upon leaving, he gives ten different servants each a mina (about three months’ wages) with which to trade for profit until he returns.  The parable is not teaching us anything about business activities as such, but uses business activity as an example to teach Christian stewardship.  Jesus is going away and will distribute gifts to his people via the Holy Spirit until he returns (Ephesians 4:7-16).  His people are to use their gifts to further their king’s interests in the meantime.  Jesus will one day return as judge to see how faithful his servants have been in his absence and will reward them richly though they have only done what was required of them (17:7-10).  The lazy and fearful servant will lose what little he was originally entrusted with and his money given to the faithful and industrious servant.  And as for those who do not want Jesus to rule over them, they shall be destroyed upon his return.

This parable is all about this present time in which we live.  Jesus had no intention of setting up his Kingdom in all of its glory when he came in humility the first time; this awaits his coming in glory next time.  This brief interlude between the comings is our time to work while it is still day, for night is approaching (John 9:4).  Therefore, let us be diligent, knowing that our labors will not go unnoticed, nor will our sloth.  We are even now children of the King with all privileges; therefore, let us make the most of our exile until he returns, proclaiming the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light (Ephesians 5:16; 1 Peter 2:9).

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist