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.’”
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
As Jesus spoke to those at Zacchaeus’ house He told them a parable about the kingdom which they expected to appear immediately. He spoke of a nobleman that went to a far country to receive a kingdom and then he would return. The nobleman represents Jesus who would go back to heaven before returning at a later time. While the nobleman was away, he gave ten of his servants a mina each which was about three month’s wages. Each servant is given the same amount and told to engage in business while he is away. While the nobleman is away, the citizens, who hated him, sent a delegation saying they didn’t want him to reign over them. The servants represent believers during the time before Christ’s second coming. The citizens represent the Jews, specifically those who lived in Jerusalem at the time who had continued to reject Jesus’ authority while He was with them. When the nobleman returned, he called all his servants to come and give account for what they had done with the money they had been entrusted. The first came and had acquired ten times what he had been given. He is praised as a good servant and, because he was faithful with very little, he was set to rule over ten cities. Another servant can and had acquired five times what he was given. He isn’t given the same commendation but is entrusted with reigning over five cities. A final example came and returned the original amount he had hidden away because he was afraid of his master who was a hard man. The master used his own words against him. If he knew that he was severe and took what he did not deposit and reaped what he did not sow, then he should have known that the least he should have done was to put the money on deposit so he could have returned it with interest. Perhaps this servant didn’t really expect the master to return at all. Because he had not done anything with what he was entrusted, what he had was taken away and given to the one who had ten. The servant’s lack of faithfulness meant he lost out on the reward of ruling in the new kingdom. Those who have proven themselves faithful and produced much will be rewarded with more. Those who have done nothing, even what they have will be taken away. After dealing with his servants, the master turned to deal with his enemies, who refused to submit to his authority. They were put to death.
There is a distinction between the servants (believers) and the citizens (unbelievers). One day every believer will stand before Jesus and have to give an account of what they have done with their lives since trusting Christ. Those who are faithful will be rewarded and reign with Christ. Those who are not faithful will suffer loss even as they enter the kingdom for eternity. Are you living each day in light of eternity and doing everything you can for the Master in anticipation of His imminent return?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 52-53