Bible Soap

Scripture:

Luke 19:11-27, but especially this verse (26), from the Message translation:

“Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.”

Observation:

The Parable of the Ten Minas is the story Jesus tells in this passage, and I focussed on that in my reading this morning because there were bits I didn’t understand. As I investigated articles online, it turned out I wasn’t the only one not quite understanding it – which at least helped me feel better. The parable has lots in common with the more familiar ‘Parable of the Talents’, from Matthew 25. Some servants are given money by a nobleman who was leaving to become king, and they are expected to earn more with the money before he returns. The one who does is commended; the one who just hides the money is chastised. So far, very similar. But then there’s this extra element of the delegation of citizens from the nobleman’s country who petition for him not to become king. They fail, and he has them executed for undermining him.

In terms of interpretation, I’m happy with this: Jesus is the king who leaves us a gift (the Holy Spirit), and with that gift we are expected to go out and win more disciples. For those who do, commendation, for those who don’t, chastisement. (One article I read noted, interestingly, that the servant who does nothing with the money is told that if he had just put it in the bank to collect interest, that would have been better than hiding it – showing us that Jesus’ demands are not that difficult to satisfy, but doing nothing with what God gives you clearly isn’t good enough.) As well as this, when Jesus returns, he will judge those who didn’t accept his authority over them.

Application:

So I discovered that it’s not that complicated really. Accept Jesus’ authority, and do something with the gifts God has given you. I believe that refers not only to the Holy Spirit, but also to personal gifts, talents and skills that God put in each one of us. But here’s the question I asked myself – which servant am I? Am I the one risking everything for Jesus, in order to win as many people for the Lord as possible? (my answer – no); or am I the foolish servant, hiding what God has given me? (I hope not) It was the Message translation of v26 that I have quoted above that made me stop and think – do I risk my life, or do I play it safe? In all honesty, it’s certainly more of the latter.

Prayer:

God, help me become somebody who takes risks for you, and help me to find ways to bring people to know you too. I don’t want to be found lacking when you return, and I want to be part of the growth of your Kingdom.