Reflection

Luke 19:12-27

People are getting excited as we get closer to Jerusalem. The religious who like Jesus are convinced he will usher in the kingdom soon, taking His power as king and overthrowing the Romans and surrounding nations. Jesus has other plans.



He begins teaching yet another parable because of the thoughts and murmurings about the coming kingdom. He tells a story about a man of noble birth who goes to claim his power as king and leave his servants each with about three months of wages and tells them to put it to work until he returns.

When he returns, he makes an example out of the first three to share what they had done with the money entrusted to them. The first made a 1000% return. The second a 500% return. The third simply hid it away and made nothing extra. The now-king’s response is quite gracious to the first two entrusting them with more power and somewhat harsh to the third, taking what was given back and giving it to the servant with the 1000% return.

Oh yeah, and there was another group of people who, when the king left to obtain power, sent people to try and stop the king from getting power because they didn’t want him as their king. The last declaration of the king in this story is to have those subjects killed.

Jesus has been doing some incredible things. He has healed people, he has taught us new ways to understand God and the law. Why does he say the kingdom isn’t arriving yet? Why does he make it sound like it’s still quite a long way away? And what is all this talk about money, investment, use, and profit?

I wonder if He is saying we are going to be called to use this healing and teaching we received to tell others about Him? I wonder what it looks like for us to be faithful to his kingship in his absence with the people we are clearly realizing are against him. I wonder where He might be going?

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As Christians in the 21st century, we know where Jesus is because of the biblical account. We know that He died, was buried, raised from the dead, appeared to the apostles, and then ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father until His final return.

Today’s passage is quite challenging because Jesus makes it clear to these early followers that there is a gift He has given, and the expectation is that gift would be used to increase the kingdom. What are we doing with the gift of grace Christ has given us while we wait for the second and final return?

Devotional Questions

What gifts has God given you? How is His Grace apparent/present in your life?

What would it look like to use those gifts and multiply them for the kingdom with your entire life?

How do you hope Jesus will greet you at His second coming?

Lord, lead us to see your gifts and use your gifts for your glory and the enhancement of your kingdom. Amen