Flashback Episode — Allies of the King: Luke 19:11-27

As Jesus was approaching Jerusalem leading up to His death, there was anticipation in the group of followers that something big would happen. While they were not wrong believing something big was coming, they were a little off with how they understood the timetable of prophecy.

To help give those listening a better perspective, Jesus decides to tell them a parable to help them reframe their expectations, and this parable is what our passage for this episode will cover. Both Matthew and Luke share similar parables, but there are enough unique differences in each that make me think that Jesus shared two similar parables on two different occasions rather than one parable that was heard in two significantly different ways.

For our episode, we will be looking at Luke’s gospel, and the parable Jesus shared with the crowd. Our passage is found in the gospel of Luke, chapter 19, and we will read if from the New International Reader’s Version of the Bible. Starting in verse 11, Luke tells us that:

¹¹ While the people were listening to these things, Jesus told them a story. He was near Jerusalem. The people thought that God’s kingdom was going to appear right away. ¹² Jesus said, “A man from an important family went to a country far away. He went there to be made king and then return home. ¹³ So he sent for ten of his slaves. He gave them each about three months’ pay. ‘Put this money to work until I come back,’ he said.

¹⁴ “But those he ruled over hated him. They sent some messengers after him. They were sent to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’

¹⁵ “But he was made king and returned home. Then he sent for the slaves he had given the money to. He wanted to find out what they had earned with it.

¹⁶ “The first one came to him. He said, ‘Sir, your money has earned ten times as much.’

¹⁷ “ ‘You have done well, my good slave!’ his master replied. ‘You have been faithful in a very small matter. So I will put you in charge of ten towns.’

¹⁸ “The second slave came to his master. He said, ‘Sir, your money has earned five times as much.’

¹⁹ “His master answered, ‘I will put you in charge of five towns.’

²⁰ “Then another slave came. He said, ‘Sir, here is your money. I have kept it hidden in a piece of cloth. ²¹ I was afraid of you. You are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in. You harvest what you did not plant.’

²² “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you evil slave! So you knew that I am a hard man? You knew that I take out what I did not put in? You knew that I harvest what I did not plant? ²³ Then why didn’t you put my money in the bank? When I came back, I could have collected it with interest.’

²⁴ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his money away from him. Give it to the one who has ten times as much.’

²⁵ “ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten times as much!’

²⁶ “He replied, ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more. But here is what will happen to anyone who has nothing. Even what they have will be taken away from them. ²⁷ And what about my enemies who did not want me to be king over them? Bring them here! Kill them in front of me!’ ”

In this parable, we have a number of different things we can focus on. However, for the sake of this episode, and wanting to keep it to a manageable length, let’s focus on two of the really big picture themes that this parable teaches.

The first theme is that the important man who left on a journey came back as king. This man went to become king, and he returned as king. This detail is important for us to focus on because Jesus represents this man who left to become king. Jesus stepped down to this earth, and then down again into death, because His nature is one of stepping down. God the Father balances this characteristic out by lifting Jesus up.

It is interesting that in Luke’s version of this parable, we discover that this man has enemies and people who would prefer to not see this man become king. They send messengers and people to plead their case, desiring probably any other king in this man’s place; but regardless of what happened, this man becomes king in spite of his enemies desires.

Applying this parable to Jesus’ ministry and His role in the world, it doesn’t surprise anyone to learn that Jesus had enemies. While there wasn’t really anything to not like about Jesus, those who were interesting in building themselves up really didn’t get along with Him because Jesus pushed back against their self-serving attitudes.

Jesus had enemies because He wasn’t the sort of leader who was impressed by ambitious ladder-climbing individuals. Those who wanted to climb the latter of spiritual hierarchy did not have an ally in Jesus.

However, circling back to the big truth we learn in this parable is that regardless of what Jesus’ enemies wished to happen, Jesus is made king. This detail is not up for debate.

We then are left with a challenging conclusion: Knowing that Jesus will ultimately return as king, it would be unwise to be one of His enemies.

I don’t know if the time when Jesus returns will mark the time when it is too late to change allegiances, but what I do know is that when Jesus returns as king, the fate of those who have decided to be His enemies is not positive.

This leads us to the second big truth we can learn from this parable. While some people have openly sided against Jesus, we know from other portions of the gospels that Jesus is willing to forgive them. In other parts of the gospels, we learn that Jesus promises to forgive those who speak out against Him.

When we combine the details that Jesus has not returned yet, that He will return as King regardless of our wishes, and that He has promised to forgive those who have spoken against Him while He was away, we can conclude that now is the perfect time to ask for forgiveness and to ally with Jesus.

There is not a better time than now to side with Jesus, because we don’t know when later will be too late. We truly don’t know when the door to changing our decision will close. It might close at the end of our lives, whenever that is for each of us, or Jesus could return and close the door personally.

While we could then shift our focus onto the servants or slaves and what they accomplished, that is the perfect subject for another podcast. The big thing we can take away from the themes we focused on in this podcast is that we should be fruitful for God while we are allied with Jesus. The worst thing we can do is nothing.

So with these thoughts in mind, let’s close this podcast episode with some challenges to apply into our lives:

Whether you’ve chosen to ally with Jesus yet or not, be sure to make your choice before it is too late. Since we don’t know when that is, it would be better to choose today. While this goes without saying for most of us listening, be sure to chose to ally with Jesus, because He has already won. And with our decision for Jesus, be sure to be fruitful in your life with the blessings that God has given to us.

Also, because it is very important for every follower of Jesus to do, be sure to pray and study the Bible for yourself, because through prayer and Bible study, we can grow our personal relationship with God. While other believers can give you ideas to think about, don’t let a pastor, blogger, podcaster, or anyone else get between you and God. Test everything you hear with what you read in the Bible, and only if the Bible supports it should you believe it.

And as I end every set of challenges by saying in one way or another, never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or abandon where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!