9.30am Sunday 15 February 2004
Rev Des Botting
Readings: Luke 19:11-27; Romans 12:1-8
Use it, or lose it! Its a truth were all familiar with, especially as we get on in years. For example, how many of you had piano lessons when you were young? How many of you still play the piano regularly? How many of you learnt a foreign language? Keep your hand up if you can still say at least two or three sentences in that language. What about remembering things?
During the past week someone sent me an email that included a Dementia Test For Those Getting Older. It begins by saying, Exercise of the brain is as important as exercise of the muscles. As we grow older, its important that we keep mentally alert. The saying, If you dont use it, youll lose it, also applies to the brain, so below is a very private way to gauge your loss or non-loss of intelligence by which you can determine is you are losing it or are still with it
Age takes its toll, but we need to look at it positively. Statements like Wrinkles are antique smiles, and If older is better, then I must be approaching magnificent, help us to take it in our stride. The fact is, Using it or losing it is true even before we enter those twilight years.
This same principle is present in the story Jesus told. Here it has far more serious consequences than simply issues that deal with age. Jesus story has to do with carrying out the important responsibilities he entrusts us with. Its both an encouraging and a sobering story. For those who do well with what theyve been given, theres commendation and added responsibility. For those who do nothing theres condemnation and even what they have is stripped from them. Its dangerous to stand still in life. The stakes are too high for that. This isnt something that can be taken lightly, or dismissed as unimportant, as itll come back to bite us one day, as it did the servant who did nothing with what his master gave him.
So what are we to make of this passage from Luke? Jesus knew that the crowds were expecting Gods kingdom to come very soon, but he also knew that it would be nothing like what they imagined it would be. Within a wekk he would be taken from them. How could Jesus correct these false notions that were so ingrained and popular with these people? Jesus did what he so often did on such occasions he told them a story.
The story was about a prince, someone of noble birth who went to a foreign country to be crowned king. This in fact happened when Herod the Great died, and his son, Archelaus, went to Rome to be confirmed as king of Judah, according to his fathers will. The people sent a delegation to the Emperor to protest against his becoming king. He was appointed ruler, and when he returned to Palestine, he killed all his opponents and rewarded his supporters. So there was an historical parallel to this story Jesus told.
In this story, however, Jesus was referring to himself. He was destined to be Israels king. There were some who recognised his kingship already. His disciples certainly did for in the next passage in Luke, which we will be looking at on Palm Sunday, we read that as he started down the Mount of Olives seated on a donkey his disciples shouted, Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.![1]
But there were others who were adamantly opposed to any such thought. Theyre the ones who said in Jesus story, We dont want this man to be our king. This is, in effect, what the chief priests said to Pilate. After the crowd had yelled for Jesus execution, and Pilate had asked them, So you want me to nail your king to a cross? they replied, We have no king but Caesar![2] Its sobering to think of the terrible consequences of their choice. Forty years later it was Caesar who ordered the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Jewish people were scattered to the four corners of the earth.
What Jesus was saying in this story was that he would soon leave them to return to his Father where he would be given the position of highest honour, and that one day he would return as king. It would be as definite as his departure. Yes, Gods kingdom would come, but it would not be how or when the crowd expected.
Its been almost 2000 years since Jesus left this earth, but we still live in the expectation and certainty of his return. As the angels said at his ascension, he will come back in the same way that you have seen him go.[3] Jesus is coming back, and when he comes, hell come back as our king. Lets never forget that every time we pray the words, Your kingdom come[4], were looking forward to the time when everyone and everything will come under his authority. Jesus is our King, and one day everyone will acknowledge his rule and reign. This is the first thing we learn from this story.
The second message from this story speaks about what we should be doing until he returns. Note the following points:
1. All the servants were called. Jesus said, before leaving, (the prince) called in ten servants.[5] They were chosen for this responsibility. This is true of every follower of Christ. We have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light to tell about all the wonderful things that he has done. [6]
2. All the servants were entrusted with some of their masters wealth. He gave each of them some money.[7] It didnt belong to them. It wasnt theirs to do with what they pleased. This is true for us, as well.
3. All of them received the same amount. It wasnt a huge amount. It was the equivalent of three months wages, maybe $10,000. So, all of them had equal opportunity. This is different to Matthews version of this story where each servant was given a different amount according to his/her ability. Here, everyone is on an equal footing. What God has given, Hes given to us all. What are we doing with it? Someone said, What we are, is Gods gift to us. What we become, is our gift to God.
4. All of them received the same instructions. The money was given with a specific purpose in mind. The prince said, Use this to earn more money until I get back.[8] It was clearly set out what they were to do with what theyd been given. They could never plead ignorance of their masters intentions for its use. Jesus instructions to us a very clear. We find them in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Love God Love others Go and make disciples of all nations [9]
5. All of them were called to account for their stewardship. What would your thoughts have been in you were in the shoes of each of those servants. If youd been either of the first two servants you wouldve been looking forward to coming before your master. You could hold your head high knowing that youd done the best you could. Its good to strive for excellence in all we do. It brings honour to God and commends the Gospel to others. If Id been were the third servant, I wouldve been dreading that day. The Bible says were to try our best to please him. After all, Christ will judge all of us for the good or the bad we do while living in these bodies.[10]
6. All of them were rewarded according to their faithfulness. It was a test a test of their character, their diligence, their initiative, their resourcefulness, their trustworthiness, . Those who proved faithful were rewarded with greater responsibility, in accordance with what theyd achieved. The worthless servant was stripped of all he had. If we work well, we have no need to fear our Lords return. All he asks is that we be good, and faithful. [11]
7. The masters judgment was entirely fair. Each received what they deserved. In fact, the lazy servant passed judgment on himself. The master said, You have condemned yourself by what you have just said.[12] Even the fact that the money was taken from the worthless servant and entrusted to the most successful servant is what any astute business person would do. Wouldnt you do exactly the same? If you had money to invest youd give it to the company or person who would get the best return for you. Thats sensible stewardship. God is the same. Whatever God does, is right.
8. This was a wise prince. He was providing a growth opportunity for each of these servants. He was also looking to the future. He knew hed need help to rule as king, and if his rule was to be successful, he had to have people around him whom he could trust, and who would take good care of their area of responsibility. In giving each of these servants money he gave them the opportunity to prove themselves worthy. It was good leadership development strategy. He didnt give them too much to start with. But they had all they needed to be able to succeed. It is as Jesus said earlier in Luke, Anyone who can be trusted in little matters can also be trusted in important matters. But anyone who is dishonest in little matters will be dishonest in important matters.[13]
In closing, one final question: Why did the worthless servant fail? He failed because he was afraid. Fear cripples people. This is why there are at least 365 times in the Bible where were counselled not to be afraid.
Fear of failure will always make you want to bury your gift. Unless you have the courage to start youre already finished! The fact is that therell always be an element of risk involved in carrying out Gods instructions. Therell always be gap between what we can do and where God must come in if we are to succeed. This is what faith is all about. God is looking for such faith in his children. Jesus said over and over words to this effect, Let it be done for you according to your faith.[14]
When God commissioned people like Moses, Gideon, Deborah and Esther, they all had to overcome their natural fears. So will you! Fear of poverty made Jacob deceive his father. Fear of starvation made the Israelites want to run back to Egypt. Fear of their critics made the disciples forsake Jesus in his darkest hour, and it made Peter deny him three times!
Refuse to let fear stop you! How you use the gifts Gods given you is a matter of the utmost importance. The truth is its the basis upon which youll be judged.
[1] Luke 19:38
[2] John 19:15 NIV
[3] Acts 1:11
[4] Luke 11:2 NIV
[5] Luke 19:13
[6] 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
[7] Luke 19:13
[8] Luke 19:13
[9] Matthew 22:37-38 CEV; Matthew 28:19 NIV
[10] 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 NIV
[11] Matthew 25:21, 23; cf. Luke 19:17 NIV
[12] Luke 19:22
[13] Luke 16:10
[14] Matthew 8:13