Luke 19:11-28 NRSVue
11As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12So he said, “A nobleman went to a distant region to receive royal power for himself and then return. 13He summoned ten of his slaves and gave them ten pounds and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ 14But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ 15When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves to whom he had given the money to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by doing business. 16The first came forward and said, ‘Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.’ 17He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.’ 18Then the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your pound has made five pounds.’ 19He said to him, ‘And you, rule over five cities.’ 20Then the other came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ 22He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why, then, did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.’ 24He said to the bystanders, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ 25(And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds!’) 26‘I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to rule over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.’ ”
28After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”
Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
I am sometimes like the people to whom Jesus spoke: I want to see
some proof, something immediate. Jesus reminds me that faith is real when it
endures and acts.
Reflection
I may allow my faith to be strengthened by recognising where God has answered my prayers.
Reflection
There is a sense of departure in this story of Jesus. Soon he will go away;
in fact he tells the story when he is near to Jerusalem where he will be soon
killed. The nobleman gives what he has to the servants; it’s as if his work
is to be done now by others. The same for Jesus and ourselves now; we are the
ones entrusted with the mission and the life of Jesus for today. In prayer we
can mull over what gifts and talents we can bring to the service of God here
and now - today.
Reflection
As we live in the spirit of the gospel, our souls grow. More is given to
those who have a lot. It's not meanness on the part of God - God wants the
best for all. When we give what we are and have in the service of the Lord,
we receive more than we give. Nothing given is wasted in the hands of God.
Reflection
I am sometimes like the people to whom Jesus spoke: I want to see some proof,
something immediate. Jesus reminds me that faith is real when it endures and
acts.
Reflection
I may allow my faith to be strengthened by recognising where God has answered
my prayers.