Waiting For The Lord’s Return

Luke 19:11-27

“And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.” (Luke 19:11)

Many of the Jews were looking for the Messiah to appear, drive out the Romans, and set up the kingdom. By doing so he would eliminate all their problems and Israel would take it’s proper place as the world leader, validating all their religious and moral standards and practices. Many people today anticipate the rapture in much the same way. This parable is especially for those who are expecting his return.

“He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” (Luke 19:12-14)

The nobleman obviously represents the Lord himself. Just before he left to take his rightful place in another land, he left his servants to do a job while he was gone. The Lord ascended into heaven to take his rightful place at the right hand of God in heaven. Just before he left, gave specific instructions to his disciples, as we see in Acts 1:6-8. “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The nobleman entrusted his servants with his wealth to invest for him until he returned. Jesus entrusted his gift to his servants to invest to reach out to the rest of the world. Another point of commonality is that the nobleman’s citizen’s hated him and rejected his rule over them. Jesus is rejected by the majority of the worlds population, except for his servants. Unlike true stories, every detail of a parable can be made to parallel the intended lesson, and Jesus has done so with this one to reinforce the lesson.

“And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.” (Luke 19:15)

The nobleman had day of accounting for his servants on his return. In II Corinthians 5:9-10, Paul describes the necessity of actively serving the Lord if we are to be pleasing to him. “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

The nobleman rewarded his servants according to what they had done. One had worked really hard, and his reward was in direct proportion with, but far greater than his work. He had earned ten pounds, he was given authority over ten cities.

“Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” (Luke 19:16-17)

The Second servant had only done half as much, but again, his reward is based on what he had done, and is far greater thatn the actual results of his effort. He had gained five pounds and he was rewarded authority over five cities. Notice that Luke describes them each as having received one pound to start. Each Christian starts with the same salvation and Holy Spirit. Their gain will be directly related to how they have applied what they received.

“And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.” (Luke 19:18-19)

The third servant had made no effort to make a profit. In fact he went and hid the money, according to Matthew 25:18. “But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.” He had the same opportunity to serve the Lord, but instead, made sure there was no possibility of it producing benefit. He was like the politician who said “I’m a Christian, but I don’t let it influence my actions.” It is impossible that a person could truly take such a position if they actually have the Holy Spirit in their life.

“And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.” (Luke 19:20-21)

Essentially, he used the excuse that he didn’t want to be a bad testimony so he just hid what he had, because after all, he knew that the Lord would gain some even without him doing anything. He is to be judged on what he has used for an excuse for not doing anything.

“And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?” (Luke 19:22-23)

Knowing that the Lord would reap even without his doing anything, he had deliberately hid what he had, preventing it from being able to produce anything. He could have had some profit just by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in his life, and have left the Lord pleased with him. He had refused to even do that.

“And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.” (Luke 19:24-26)

He has effectively denied Christ and Matthew 10:32-33 warns, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” While he had the same opportunity, he is going to lose even that he appears to have, as Luke 8:18 states, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” It appears that he has never actually received the Lord, and will lose even what he appeared to have earned. The noble man commanded “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” in Matthew 25:30. The book of Hebrews deals with this in depth.

“But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” (Luke 19:27)

Those who have openly rejected the Lord will be finally punished with no possibility of relief. Revelation 20:12-15 describes this. “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”