2004-10-17 Communion Dedication - Baldwin Christian Church

This passage takes place in the house of Zaccheus, the little rich taxman who climbed a tree to see over the crowds, to see Jesus. Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem, to eat the Passover for the last time, and to become our Passover.

Luke 19:11-28

11. 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.
12. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds (that's one pound each, about three months wages), and said unto them, Occupy till I come. (He tells them to be about his business while he's away, and here's the key: they know that when he returns they will be held accountable. No rewards are mentioned, they're just told to "occupy," to invest what was lent to them by their master.)
14. But his citizens (His own countrymen) hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. (It wasn't many days later when Pilate asks the question to Jesus' countrymen, "Shall I crucify your King?," and they answered, "We have no king but Caesar.")
15. 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.
16. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. (Wow! 1000% return on his investment!)
17. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. (No commendation to this servant, but the reward is measured the same.)
20. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21. 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. (Like the first two servants, this servant also believed that his Lord would return, but the difference is that this servant slanders and murmurs at his Lord by accusing him of being harsh and unethical.)
22. 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:
23. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? (This servant was judged by his own words. If he believed what he said about his master, then he should have obeyed him. He was judged for not acting on his own conclusions. Actions are the proof of faith, so what do you call a lack of actions?)
24. And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) (This seemed unfair to the other servants, but the Lord knew which servant would make the best use of his resources. Also, we see that it wasn't only the wicked servant who murmured.)
26. 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. (Jesus later explained that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit, but the unfruitful branches are cut off and cast into the fire. John 15)
27. But those mine enemies (Not his servants - not even the wicked one), which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (It frightens me to think of how many ways and how many times I've openly rejected Jesus in my life, even without opening my mouth. This verse should give us all a reason to pause and take stock.)
28. And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

Ephesians 5:15-16
15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

We've all been given one pound, one life. Our Lord is on a far journey to receive His glory. He sits at the right hand of the Father. When He left, He didn't hang us out to dry. All of us have been given access to His power, His authority and His written instructions. Certainly we've all been given different gifts, but we've all been given the same gospel to share. He's coming back. We've all been given one pound, one life. Am I so lazy that I'll keep it laid up in a napkin?