home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD ROM Paradise Collection 4
/
CD ROM Paradise Collection 4 1995 Nov.iso
/
edu
/
para21.zip
/
15.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-11-14
|
10KB
|
176 lines
PART II: PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM
CHAPTER 15
THE TEN MINAS
Introduction
Jesus told the Parable of the Talents to his Apostles
while seated on the Mount of Olives, on his third day in
Jerusalem. Jesus gave this parable to the public and to his
Apostles as he was nearing Jerusalem. Both parables have a
similar message. (Trench, NOTES ON THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD,
p. 91). The Ten Minas is sometimes called The ten Pounds.
It is found only in Luke 19:11-27.
The Story
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. He said: "A
man of noble birth went to a distant
country to have himself appointed king
and then to return. So he called ten of
his servants and gave them ten minas.
`Put this money to work,' he said, `until
I come back.'
"But his subjects hated him and sent
a delegation after him to say, ` We don't
want this man to be our king.'
"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.
"The first one came and said, `Sir,
your mina has earned ten more.'
"`Well done, my good servant!' his
master replied. `Because you have been
trustworthy in a very small matter, take
charge of ten cities.'
"The second came and said, `Sir, your
mina has earned five more.'
"His master answered, `You take
charge of five cities.'
"Then another servant came and said,
`Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it
laid away in a piece of cloth. 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.'
"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? Why
then didn't you put my money on deposit,
so that when I came back, I could have
collected it with interest?'
"Then he said to those standing by,
`Take his mina away from him and give it
to the one who has ten minas.'
"`Sir, they said, `he already has
ten!'
"He replied, `I tell you that to
everyone who has, more will be given, but
as for the one who has nothing, even what
he has will be taken away. 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.'" (Luke 19:11-27,
New International Version).
Jesus begins with a story that his audience knew well.
However, we must have it explained to us since we did not
live in that period of history. Herod the Great's three sons
inherited his kingdom. His son Archelaus inherited Judea,
but had to go to Rome where he persuaded Augustus to allow
him to have his inheritance. Jesus was apparently alluding
to this historical event to teach a new truth.
Jews had been taught that the Messiah would set up an
earthly kingdom immediately when he appeared in history.
Many of us believe that Jesus will set up a true Theocracy
for a thousand years later in history and this is probably
that to which the Old Testament prophecy refers. Old
Testament prophets tended to lump end time events together,
much like we see when we view a mountain range from a long
distance. However, when we get closer to the mountains, we
more clearly see individual mountains. When Jesus told this
parable, this was his first coming. His mission during his
first coming was primarily to die for the sins of the world
and to establish the Kingdom of God in the hearts of people.
(See my freeware booklet, JESUS THE MASTER TEACHER). So, to
correct the misunderstanding of the nature of his first
coming, he told this parable.
A nobleman left his home to go to a distant authority to
request appointment as king over his home country, and then
return to reign. Before he left, he gave ten of his servants
a mina (equal to about 100 drachmas or 20 dollars), and
commanded them to invest it until he returned.
While he was away, the subjects of the nobleman sent a
delegation to the authority to testify against making the
nobleman their king.
The nobleman was made king and returned home. He then
sent for the ten servants and asked them to give him an
account.
The first servant reported that he had earned 10
more minas, and was given the oversight of 10 cities as a
reward.
The second servant reported that he had earned 5
more minas, and was given the oversight of 5 cities.
Another servant reported that since his master was a
hard man, he was afraid and hid his mina--he returned the
original mina to the king. The king saw that he was an
disobedient servant and had those standing by take the mina
and give it to the one who had earned 10 minas.
He then had his enemies--those opposing his becoming
king--executed in his presence.
The Interpretation
The characters and events in the story and the people
and events they represent are:
1. The nobleman Jesus
2. The ten servants Christians
3. Subjects who hated him Those who reject Christ as
Lord
4. Time when the nobleman Time between the First and
was away Second Coming of Jesus
5. Destruction of enemies Judgment of the wicked
Much of what was said concerning the Parable of the Talents
applies here.
Faithful servants are rewarded with administrative
responsibility. This could be both in the here-and-now and
in the coming ages.
Unfaithful servants lose even what they presently
possess.
Trench notes that the parable was told
to teach the need of a patient waiting for Christ
by His disciples; and not merely that, but also of
an active working for Him during his absence.
(Trench, NOTES ON THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD, p.
185).
Central Truth
GOD EXPECTS US TO BE FAITHFUL IN SERVICE
AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE SECOND RETURN OF CHRIST.
Conclusion
We must all face the judgment of Christ. Christians
will give an account of their faithfulness. It makes sense
to work for the Lord, since that is all that will survive.
The love we have for him motivates us. The love he has
placed in our hearts for the lost motivates us. It is
absolute folly to reject the lordship of Christ, who loves
even the sinner absolutely. It would be devastating to face
Christ unprepared.
END