Luke 19:11-27

content/bible_journal/luke_19:11-27.md

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+title = "Luke 19:11–27"
+date = "2023-01-18"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk19.11-27)
+
+Something I've only now noticed is that the reason Jesus taught this parable is
+because the people traveling with Him thought He was going to establish God's
+kingdom on earth as soon as He got to Jerusalem. It's also curious that Jesus
+models the ruler in the story after Archelaus, Herod the Great's son. Herod's
+sons all took a trip to Rome in the hopes of getting a kingdom. Archelaus's
+Jewish subjects sent a delegation to Rome as well to plead with Caesar not to
+make him their king. This is recent enough history in Jesus's time that
+everyone around would remember it and know exactly who Jesus was referring to.
+
+Then Jesus talks about business ventures. So often, I've heard that the minas
+given to the servants are spiritualized as representing gifts from the Holy
+Spirit that need to be used for Christian ministry. Considering the express
+purpose that Luke gives for the parable, that doesn't seem to fit. Instead,
+this story seems to be a playbook on how to live under the authority of a
+wicked ruler.
+
+The servant that failed to do any business with his mina describes his master
+as "severe" and "[taking] what [he] did not deposit". (_v. 21_) That makes this
+king a thief and a bully. And the king hardly denies it, but proves the servant
+right by taking away his mina to give to the first servant. Then he has his
+political enemies killed in front of him.
+
+If this story is told because people mistakenly thought the kingdom of God
+would appear immediately, then we should take it to mean this is what life is
+like before it does appear. Evil men will be installed into positions of power.
+They will reward those who please them and punish those who don't. Do well with
+all the responsibilities you are given, and trust in the Lord to deliver you.
+
+* * *
+
+We long for You to bring justice to the world.