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We were reading in Luke Chapter 19 and at verse 10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. We were reading of how Jesus came and found that little lost man. He was up a tree. He had a big balance but an empty heart. He had lots of money, but little love. He was financially wealthy, but had few friends. He was lost, and we saw how Jesus found him.

While they were listening to this - listening to what? - what Jesus said in verses 9,10. No other system of belief in the whole world has words which say anything like that - none comes near it – but, Jesus Christ came to seek and to save what was lost.

Something had been lost. Man had lost something, and Jesus Christ comes to restore that - to give it back - to put man back in his right place and in his right condition.

Jesus tells a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and people thought the Kingdom of God was going to appear at once, immediately, and politically. People thought that politically Jesus was going to overthrow Rome, deal with every enemy, and become King of Israel in a political sense. Many thought that was going to be the solution. Do read this passage in Luke Chapter 19.

Jesus sensed that people were getting it all wrong again, and He dealt with it. Jesus sensed that people were not grasping the real meaning of what He was saying, so He moved right in to tell a parable. They thought Jesus was going to set up a secular Kingdom, and that they were going to be the senior politicians, the government ministers, the civil servants of God, with authority – at once – immediately.

Jesus shocked them. They were expecting secular success. They were looking for worldly positions, and Jesus is so aware that what was involved was - Rejection - Suffering - Pain - Execution - The Cross - being killed at the hands of men and rising from the dead.

Verse 12. A man of noble birth, a nobleman, went into a far country, to have himself appointed king, and then to return. We know - we can see - that Jesus is referring to Himself – but it was NOT so clear then to them. Jesus had come down to this far country. He is about to be executed, and rise from the dead, and then He will return to His Father - and then, He will return to this world.

The nobleman called ten of His servants and gave them ten minas - £3,000 - £4,000. Put this money to work until I come back. The nobleman is giving His servants gifts to be used until He returns.

Verse 14. His subjects hated him, and said, "We don't want this man to be our king." The king is giving gifts - talents - opportunities - grace - and the people hate the king. They will not have the king, nor his appointed servants, to rule over them. It is almost unbelievable.

Generally speaking, the people hate Jesus. They will not have Jesus, nor His Word, nor His appointed servants, rule over them. Remember, the word 'hate' means REJECT.

One day the nobleman returned. Jesus Christ is coming again - whether people believe it or not - whether people want Him to or not - whether or not they think it is a good idea - Jesus is coming again.

When the king - the nobleman returns - he calls these servants to Him to find out how they have used the money - the gifts - the opportunities.

It is in the absence of the physical Jesus that men are tested. When we think He isn't looking - when we think He isn't watching - when we think He isn't listening. One day the Supervisor, Jesus Christ, is going to check out our work and examine our work. Not many people believe that either.

Verse 16. The first came - Lord Your £3000 has earned £30,000. Well done my good servant - you have been faithful in a small matter - you will be in charge of ten cities. As we use the gifts Jesus gives us, we can expect rewards from the risen Christ. As we use the present opportunities to the full, Jesus will give us further opportunities.

Verses 18,19. A degree of promotion and reward - a proportion of authority – but no commendation – and no 'Well done' here. Do check out the actual text.

Did he just come and go and just work when he felt like it? Was it half-hearted?

Here is your money back. Here is your pound back. I didn't dare use it. I kept it all to myself in case I lost it. Sir, I wasn't going to risk anything. And then he criticises the nobleman - his master. You are a severe man. I was afraid of YOU. YOU like to reap what you did not sow.

There is something terribly wrong with this man. Not only did he refuse to take his share of the work, but he comments negatively regarding his master. It is no use praying Thy Kingdom Come, if we are going to be like this man, and not prepared to do anything.

You hear people say - "I'm shy - I'm quiet - I'm timid - I like to keep myself to myself. I like to stay in the background." What nonsense! That type of thing does NOT come from the Holy Spirit. We receive power to overcome all these characteristics, or excuses.

"Do not compromise for fear of being ostracised." - a word I received back in 1986.

This man judged himself by the word he spoke. He trusted no-one. He just kept what Jesus gave, to himself. He just wanted things to be the same.

Verse 24. Jesus said - Take the money from him - the £3,000 - and give it to him who as ten. What he tried to keep was lost! And he lost it, because he had done nothing, and now he had nothing - no responsibility - no position or office - no authority.

We are being told that we have almost nothing left in our nation, because so many people have done nothing and said nothing - apathy - lethargy - couldn't care less. This man didn't commit what we would class as conventional sins. He just did nothing. He was lazy and afraid of what people might say - unfaithful - disobedient - unfruitful.

The man who has received from Jesus, and who refuses to be faithful and fruitful, may find the Lord removing from him what he thought he had for keeps. And he who is faithful and fruitful receives more, and that too can cause resentment.

In this parable it is the unfaithful servants who are the losers, and those who will not have Jesus reign over them and rule over them have a fearful future awaiting them.

When Jesus comes - when Jesus returns - what will He say?

It might be to-night - this week - this year - or not for 10 or 20 years - but when He does come what will He say?

Verse 27 is an awesome word to come from the lips of Jesus. Having studied the parable, take time to re-read that verse.

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A Fish in the Hand