My Observations

Observations:

Jesus knew their thoughts and was responding to their thoughts without pointing that out.

The nobleman was going to receive a kingdom and then return.

His citizens hated him and refused him as their king.

Only ten servants are called.

They are given ten minas.

He receives the kingdom.

They consider the mina as belonging to their master, not themselves.

They don’t say they earned anything but that his mina earned more.

They are considered good servants even though they were “faithful in a very little.”

The man who loses everything feared his master.

His mina was “put away.”

Those who don’t have, have something that can be taken away.

Enemies are slain without mercy. Enemies are those who reject their king as their king.

Questions:

Who is hearing these things? (v11)

How did Luke know that Jesus was responding to what they were thinking about the timing of God’s kingdom come to earth?

What’s a mina?

Does “trading” have to do with anything? (v15)

What does “bank” and “interest” have anything to do with it? (v23)

Contrast: Those who have are given more. Those who don’t have lose what they have.

 

My Interpretations

Questions:

Who is hearing these things? (v11)  Jesus is at Zacchaeus’ house. He’s speaking to a new convert and maybe his household? and probably the twelve are with him.

How did Luke know that Jesus was responding to what they were thinking about the timing of God’s kingdom come to earth?

What’s a mina? A measure of money worth about three month’s wages.

Does “trading” have to do with anything? (v15) The Greek word is only used in this place. It comes from the words “thoroughly” and “occupied.” They were thoroughly occupied with the business they were sent to do.

What does “bank” and “interest” have anything to do with it? (v23) Some take this literally and say God wants us to earn good interest on His money for His kingdom. If they do it for His kingdom at His leading, glory to God. But we also know Jesus taught not to store up on earth, but in heaven. Is there interest in our heavenly accounts? It’s not money, so it’s not interest like that. But there is multiplied reward, such as the servants being faithful in little but being put over much.

Observations:

The parable, we’re told, is spoken to address their thoughts of the soon coming set up of Christ’s rule as king in Jerusalem.

We can say that Jesus is the nobleman in the story. He goes to heaven to receive His kingdom and then returns. In the meantime, His servants are to “do business.”

That’s like Jesus saying He knew He had to be “about His Father’s business.”

What we have is from God and He produces the fruit.

God doesn’t ask great things of us. He doesn’t want our accomplishments. He wants our hearts, faithful/loyal hearts.

The man who earned nothing “put away” his mina. He kept it for himself. That was his problem.

Those who don’t have, have something that can be taken away. – That seems to be a warning about losing your salvation, or your supposed salvation. True salvation is assured. But there are those who are serving God who don’t even have what they suppose they have and what they suppose they have is taken away. God still gives them opportunity. That servant was given the same as everyone else.

Enemies are slain without mercy. Enemies are those who reject their king as their king. – There is justice and it is just.

NEW QUESTIONS:

We, His servants, consider ourselves citizens, but in the story Jesus’ citizens hated him. Is that Jews who reject him? Everyone who rejects him?

Why are only ten called? I assume He had more servants.

The man who loses everything feared his master. But the fear of God is supposed to be good and the beginning of wisdom?

 

My Applications

What is our Father’s business that we should be thoroughly occupied with?

Are you content with little, seeing the value in serving in the place where God puts you with what He’s given you, and not seeking more, bigger, better – which is man’s opinion of serving God, not God’s opinion? This is related – Do you have a faithful heart or are you after the things of this world?

Do you recognize that everything you have is from God and for God?

Do you understand your money, education, skills, blessings in every way are for others? We offer it all to God to do with them as He wishes for His glory and to build His kingdom.

Are you assured of your salvation? You can be. Give yourself to God completely. He can make you a vessel of honor if you allow Him to cleanse you in the water and fire of purification. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (You can change your vessel, but truly only God can do heart work. We just give ourselves to Him to do His work.)

Do you believe God is just in slaying those who reject Him and in taking away what the unfruitful servant had?